Rushanara Ali, the UK’s Minister for Homelessness, has resigned following revelations about rent increases on a London property she owns.
In a resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ali stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I offer you my resignation as a minister.”
Ali served as under-secretary of state for homelessness in the Labour government.
The move comes a day after I-Paper reported that Ali had served four tenants with notice to leave the property, giving them four months to vacate.
Just weeks after they left, the house was reportedly re-let at a rate over £700 ($940) higher than before.
Housing advocates and political opponents criticized the move, calling for Ali to step down.
Ali stated she followed all relevant legal requirements and took responsibilities seriously.
“Further to recent reporting, I wanted to make it clear that at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements. I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this,” Ali wrote in her letter, which was made public by the prime minister’s office.
Ali said continuing in her role would be a distraction from the government’s ambitious work.
Keir Starmer thanked Ali for her “diligent work” and praised her efforts to scrap the Vagrancy Act.
