Louise Haigh admits pleading guilty in 2014

Parole is a type of punishment given to a person who has committed a crime but where the court decides not to impose a significant sentence.

Whitehall sources told the BBC the transport secretary announced his dismissal after being appointed to a shadow cabinet while Labor was in opposition.

In a statement, Haigh said: “I was attacked while out one night in 2013. I was a young woman and the experience was horrific.

“I reported this to the police and gave them a list of items I believed had been taken, including a work mobile phone issued by my employer.

“After some time, I discovered that the mobile phone in question had not been taken. Meanwhile, I was given another work phone number.

“The opening of the original working device attracted the attention of the police and I was asked to come in for questioning.

“My lawyer advised me not to comment during that interview, and I regret taking that advice.

“The police referred the matter to the CPS and I appeared at the magistrates court.

“On the advice of my lawyer, I pleaded guilty – although this was a genuine mistake and I gained nothing from it. The judges accepted all these arguments and gave me the lowest possible outcome – discharge.”

Louise Haigh is a former Special Constable and volunteer officer with full arrest powers who served with the Metropolitan Police until 2011.

The BBC asked the Department for Transport to explain the offense to which he pleaded guilty and whether the release was conditional or unconditional.