Starmer’s government accused of ‘sexist briefings’ by top Burnham ally

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLouise Haigh, a key ally of Andy Burnham, has accused Keir Starmer’s government of orchestrating “sexist” briefings against several senior female Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner, Bridget Phillipson, and Lisa Nandy, attributing these attacks to a “cabal of men”. Haigh, a former transport secretary, revealed that Sir Keir Starmer has not spoken to her since her forced resignation from his cabinet, alleging that his administration deliberately sought to “knock my character down” after she left. She criticised the handling of her 2024 resignation, which followed the emergence of a 2013 criminal offence, stating that despite having previously disclosed the matter to Sir Keir while Labour was in opposition, Downing Street later claimed unspecified “additional information” had surfaced. Haigh asserted that the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, alongside herself and Angela Rayner, have been “victims of incredibly sexist and unpleasant briefing in the press,” and also condemned the treatment of Sir Keir’s first chief of staff, Sue Gray. Beyond the sexism allegations, Haigh disclosed that Andy Burnham has been actively planning and preparing for the role of prime minister for at least the past year, indicating his long-term aspirations for the position. In fullBurnham’s chief lieutenant claims Starmer’s government was sexistMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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