Rushanara Ali, the homelessness minister, has resigned following allegations that she raised the rent on a property she owns after evicting the tenants. The controversy arose because she was a prominent supporter of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which aims to prevent such actions.

According to a report by the i Paper, Ms. Ali ended a fixed-term tenancy to sell her east London home. When the sale fell through, the property was re-listed for rent at £700 more per month. In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Ms. Ali stated that she had “followed all relevant legal requirements” but felt her continued presence would be a “distraction” to the government’s agenda.

The resignation has been met with strong criticism from tenant groups and opposition politicians, who have labeled her actions “indefensible” and “staggering hypocrisy.” The incident highlights the tensions within the government’s commitment to protecting tenants, as the Renters’ Rights Bill, which is expected to become law soon, will mandate a four-month notice period for tenants and prevent landlords from re-listing properties at a higher rent within six months of ending a tenancy for sale.