Labour suspends whip from MP Bayo Alaba over Covid loan allegations

Labour suspended the parliamentary whip from Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, after The Times reported he tried to wind up his company before repaying a taxpayer-backed Covid bounce back loan. Alaba, who took out two such loans, denied avoiding repayment and said he expects both to be settled by year-end. He referred himself to the party, which has launched an internal investigation. He now sits as an independent.