British Secretary of State for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali, has resigned from the government following revelations that she significantly increased the rent on a property she owns, Downing Street announced on Thursday.
In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ali denied any wrongdoing, stressing that she had always complied with all legal obligations.
Her resignation came after a British newspaper, 'The i Paper,' reported that four tenants who rented a house in East London from Ms Ali had been sent an email last November saying their lease would not be renewed. They were given four months' notice to leave, the newspaper reported.
Ms. Ali relisted the property a few weeks later with a rent increase of £700 (over €800).
Several charities that support homeless persons called for her resignation. So did opposition parliamentarians.
“Remaining in my position would distract from the government’s ambitious work," the Secretary of State stated. "Therefore, I have decided to resign as minister.”
"Further to recent reporting, I wanted to make it clear that at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements," she wrote. "I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this."
Prime Minister Starmer thanked Ali for her “dedicated work” within the Housing Department, noting that it will have “a lasting impact,” according to a letter released by the Prime Minister’s office.
