Louise Haigh Accuses Starmer’s ‘Cabal of Men’ of Sexist Briefings—July 10

Louise Haigh, former transport secretary and key ally of incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has accused Keir Starmer’s government of orchestrating sexist briefings against senior female Labour MPs. Speaking to the BBC on July 9, Haigh alleged a ‘cabal of men’ deliberately mistreated her and colleagues including Angela Rayner, Bridget Phillipson, and Lisa Nandy. She claims Starmer has not spoken to her since her forced resignation in 2024.

What Haigh says happened after her resignation

Haigh resigned as transport secretary in 2024 after a 2013 incident emerged in which she pleaded guilty to fraudulently reporting a lost mobile phone as stolen. She says she had disclosed this to Starmer years before joining the cabinet. When the story broke, Downing Street claimed ‘additional information’ had surfaced, but Haigh says neither Starmer nor chief strategist Morgan McSweeney would tell her what that information was. She alleges the government then launched weeks of hostile press briefings to damage her reputation.

The broader pattern of mistreatment

Haigh is not alone in her complaints. She named fellow cabinet ministers Bridget Phillipson and Lisa Nandy, former deputy PM Angela Rayner, and Sue Gray, Starmer’s first chief of staff, as victims of sexist briefings. In February, Nandy publicly criticized Labour briefings she said were ‘dripping with misogyny’. Haigh told the BBC that opening newspapers most days revealed ‘vicious briefing’ and ‘horrible’ talk about colleagues. She described the treatment of Sue Gray as ‘absolutely disgraceful’.

Burnham’s shift away from the ‘boys’ club’

Haigh revealed that Andy Burnham has been planning his path to the premiership for over a year. She said Burnham is already working to distance his incoming government from the ‘boys’ club’ culture that multiple female Labour MPs have complained about under Starmer. Burnham is expected to be confirmed as prime minister within days. Haigh has been central to orchestrating his rise to power.

Starmer’s final days under scrutiny

As Starmer attempts to secure his ‘legacy’ during his final weeks as prime minister, Haigh’s public intervention marks an extraordinary moment. Downing Street has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. The allegations add to mounting criticism of Starmer’s handling of women in his cabinet and inner circle.

Final Thoughts

Haigh’s allegations paint a picture of systemic mistreatment of women at the highest levels of Starmer’s government. With Burnham poised to take office, the incoming administration faces immediate pressure to demonstrate a different culture in Number 10.

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