Key facts
- Louise Haigh accused Keir Starmer's allies of briefing against her and other women in cabinet.
- Haigh described the alleged mistreatment as a "cabal of men mistreating women."
- She stated that additional information emerged before her sacking, but was not disclosed to her.
- Haigh believes her departure and treatment contributed to Starmer's downfall.
- She is expected to serve in Andy Burnham's government, potentially in an economic advisory role within Number 10.
Louise Haigh has accused allies of Keir Starmer of briefing "consistently and viciously" against her and other women in cabinet, describing the situation as a "cabal of men mistreating women." Haigh spoke about her departure from the cabinet in 2024, which she attributes to undisclosed "additional information" that emerged prior to her sacking. She stated that she had informed Starmer of her guilty plea for fraudulently reporting a lost mobile phone as stolen in 2013 several years prior.
Haigh also indicated that cabinet colleagues Lisa Nandy and Bridget Phillipson, as well as Angela Rayner and former chief of staff Sue Gray, were victims of similar "sexist and unpleasant briefing." She suggested that the "boys' club" culture within Starmer's leadership was responsible for this treatment.
Haigh's departure and the subsequent handling of her exit, including a brief public letter from Starmer, are seen as having contributed to Starmer's own downfall as prime minister. As a backbencher, Haigh was instrumental in organising a welfare rebellion that damaged Starmer's authority and later supported Andy Burnham's bid for leadership.
Looking ahead, Haigh is tipped for a cabinet position in Andy Burnham's government, though she stated it would not be as chancellor. She argued for a strengthened economic unit within Number 10 to provide comprehensive advice to the prime minister and chancellor, aiming to counterbalance decisions made by the Treasury.