Louise Haigh’s offence would never have disqualified her from becoming a Member of Parliament as disqualification only applies when a person receives a prison sentence of over one year.
Her offence resulted in a conditional discharge from the Magistrates Court and whilst a conditional discharge sits on a person’s record, it’s not classed as a conviction unless the conditions are breached.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, there was no legal requirement for Louise to disclose it. However, she chose to be open and transparent when she was appointed a shadow minister in 2020 and when she was appointed a minister in 2024.
After 11 years the conditional discharge would not have shown on any level of criminal record check.
We are not aware how this information has entered the public domain however the situation demonstrates the lack of protection for individuals when a spent convictions comes to light and how stigma and discrimination continue to impact people who have been through the criminal justice system beyond what the law requires.
Learn more about this topic
- Ending the Long Shadow of Criminal Records – Unlock’s five-year strategy 2026-31
- Unlock call for government to give young people a say in their future
- Unlock responds to the Government’s Youth Justice White Paper
- Unlock propose new clause to press regulator on reporting on spent offences
- We’re hiring! Head of Operations, Governance and Programmes Support
Most popular articles from Unlock
- Volunteer’s Week is almost here
- A better criminal records system for all children
- Aged 18-25? We want to hear from you
- Ever been to prison? What support did you get applying for benefits, finding work and returning to normal life?
- Unlock on BBC Radio West Midlands talking about second chances and employers
Do you need help & support with an issue you’re facing?
We provide support and advice for people in England and Wales who need guidance with either their own, or someone else’s, criminal record.
Please use the search box to start typing your issue. If you cannot find an answer to your problem then you’ll be given options to contact us directly.
Popular advice
- Gambling licence (known as a Personal Functional Licence)
- Improving your mental health
- Counteracting negative ‘Google’ or other internet search results
- Working overseas
- Information: Relationships, children and dealing with social services
- Applying for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel to the UK
- Information contained on UK passports
- Travelling to Russia
Comments
Add Comment