Homelessness minister Ali quits after rent hike claims

The homelessness minister Rushanara Ali resigned last night hours after she was accused of raising the rent at her east London townhouse by £700 per month just weeks after the previous tenants’ contract ended.

- JANE DALTON KATE DEVLIN

In a letter to the prime minister she said that remaining in the role would be “a distraction from the ambitious work of this government”.

Ms Ali had been facing calls to quit over her handling of the rental property, with shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake accusing her of “staggering hypocrisy”.

In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour MP insisted she had “at all times” followed “all legal requirements” and taken her responsibilities “seriously”.

But she added: “It is clear that continuing in my role will be a distraction from the ambitious work of the government. I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position.”

In response, the PM thanked Ms Ali for her “diligent work” at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, saying it would have “a lasting impact”.

But her resignation will be a blow to the PM, just months after a Labour whip quit over the party’s welfare plans.