Louise Haigh Accuses Keir Starmer Government of Systemic Sexism

Former transport secretary Louise Haigh accused the government of Keir Starmer of maintaining a "boys' club" culture that deliberately targeted women. Speaking on the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, Haigh claimed a "cabal of men" used sexist press briefings to mistreat female colleagues, specifically naming herself, Angela Rayner, Bridget Phillipson, Lisa Nandy, and former chief of staff Sue Gray as victims.

Haigh alleged that Starmer and his former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, attempted to undermine her character following her 2024 resignation over a 2013 fraud conviction. She stated that Starmer had been informed of the offense years prior and that the subsequent negative briefings were a deliberate attempt to damage her reputation.

These accusations emerge as Andy Burnham prepares to be confirmed as prime minister within days. Haigh, who helped coordinate Burnham's rise to power, revealed that he had been planning his leadership bid for at least a year.