Britain's minister for homelessness has been forced to resign over reports she evicted tenants from a property she owned and then increased the rent by hundreds of pounds.
Rushanara Ali said she had followed all the legal requirements "at all times" but that continuing in her role would have distracted from the work of the government.
Her exit represents an embarrassing blow for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government, which trails Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK party in opinion polls just over a year after winning a landslide election victory.
Ms Ali is the fourth Labour minister to step down under pressure.
The transport minister, the anti-corruption minister and a junior health minister all previously quit, for separate reasons. Others have left the government over policy disagreements.
What is Rushanara Ali alleged to have done?
Ms Ali, who has spoken out previously against tenants being exploited and "unreasonable rent increases", evicted four tenants from her four-bedroom house in east London last year as the property was being sold, The i Paper reported on Wednesday.
Just weeks later, the property, which had a monthly rent of 3,300 pounds ($6,800), was re-listed for 700 pounds ($1,440) more in rent after no buyer was found, and later rented out at the higher rent, the report added.
The end of rental contracts is considered one of the leading causes of homelessness in Britain, and the government is preparing a renters' rights bill that will ban landlords from re-listing a property for higher rent within six months after eviction.
"I wanted to make it clear that at all times I have followed all relevant legal requirements," Ms Ali said in her letter to Sir Keir.
"I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this."
The opposition Conservatives were quick to pounce on her departure.
"Keir Starmer promised a government of integrity — but has instead presided over a government of hypocrisy and self-service," Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said.
Reuters/ABC
