A Labour MP has been suspended from the party amid questions surrounding whether he tried to avoid repaying a taxpayer-funded Covid loan.
Bayo Alaba, the MP for Southend East & Rochford, refused to answer questions about his alleged attempt to wind up one of his businesses before settling a loan.
GB News understands Mr Alaba has agreed to be administratively suspended from the Labour Party while this process is ongoing.
It is also understood that the Labour Whip will also be suspended while an investigation is ongoing, with Mr Bayo’s full cooperation.
Mike Wood, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, urged Mr Alaba to explain what happened with the company.
He told the Times: “These are concerning revelations and Alaba clearly has questions to answer.
“Alaba needs to come clean about whether he tried to avoid paying his debts, and ministers should tell us if they had to intervene to stop it.
“The public deserve the truth.”
Bayo Alaba has been suspended amid questions surrounding whether he tried to avoid repaying a taxpayer-funded Covid loan
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WIKI COMMONS
The investigation is on a without prejudice basis.
It implies no finding of wrongdoing at this stage.
A Labour spokesman told GB News: “Bayo Alaba MP has referred himself to the Labour Party so that these matters can be investigated in line with the party’s rules.
“The Labour Party expects the highest standards from our elected representatives and we have robust processes in place to ensure those high standards are upheld.”
They added: “We cannot comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”
GB News has approached Mr Alaba for further comment.
Elected during the 2024 General Election, he made history as the constituency’s first-ever Labour MP.
Mr Alaba spent 11 years in the Parachute Regiment reserves and ran businesses in the East London creative and night-time hospitality sectors for over two decades.