Andy Burnham’s new administration has been thrust into immediate controversy after appointing Louise Haigh to one of the most senior positions in government, reviving questions over ministerial standards just days after promising a fresh start for Westminster.
Haigh takes up the influential posts of First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, placing her at the centre of government with broad responsibility across the Cabinet Office and making her one of Burnham’s closest political lieutenants.
The appointment has inevitably reopened scrutiny of Haigh’s previous conviction. In 2014, she pleaded guilty to making a false report to police after incorrectly claiming her work mobile phone had been stolen during an alleged mugging. The device was later discovered at her home. She received a conditional discharge, and the conviction is now spent under UK law. The incident nevertheless led to her resignation as Transport Secretary in late 2024.
Within hours of her latest appointment, responsibility for the Public Sector Fraud Authority was removed from her portfolio and transferred to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.
The timing immediately fuelled accusations that Downing Street was attempting to limit political damage.
The Cabinet Office strongly rejected that interpretation, insisting the decision had been agreed before ministerial appointments as part of a wider restructuring designed to reduce the size of the centre of government.
A spokesperson said the changes had “nothing to do with her fraud conviction”, adding that responsibility for tackling public sector fraud was moving to the Department for Work and Pensions because most fraud-related work is carried out there.
The explanation has done little to silence critics.
Conservative commentator Nile Gardiner described the episode as evidence that Burnham’s administration was “already descending into chaos” only days after entering office.
Political commentator Ben Graham also questioned the decision, arguing that stripping Haigh of responsibility for combating public sector fraud while leaving her with wider Cabinet Office responsibilities was politically difficult to defend.
Criticism has also spread across social media, where opponents highlighted the apparent contradiction of Haigh retaining oversight of areas including propriety and ethics while no longer overseeing anti-fraud policy.
One widely shared comment argued that “ordinary people can lose their jobs over dishonesty. In Westminster, it apparently earns you a promotion.”
For Burnham, the controversy risks overshadowing what was intended to be a carefully choreographed relaunch of Labour following Sir Keir Starmer’s departure.
The new Prime Minister entered Downing Street promising a “cost-of-living government” focused on restoring public confidence while rapidly reshaping the Cabinet, removing several senior figures associated with the previous administration.
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