It was always going to be difficult for Rushanara Ali to hang on to her ministerial job after The i Paper exposed that she had thrown four tenants out of her property and later relisted it for a higher price.

What she did was totally legal – but it completely jarred with Labour’s flagship Renters’ Rights Bill, which when it comes into effect will stop landlords from relisting a property at a higher rent for at least six months if they end a tenancy intending to sell.

The charge of hypocrisy was unavoidable. Ali’s role in government – as homelessness minister no less – of course made the episode all the more embarrassing for the Government.

Nevertheless, it initially seemed like Number 10 were determined to front it out.

Parliament being in recess had offered Ali and Downing Street a

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