Priti Patel resigns as minister after meeting in 10 Downing Street
Priti Patel has resigned as minister rather than being sacked.
She met with Theresa May in Downing Street this evening, following frantic speculation on whether she was about to be fired from her ministerial post.
The international development secretary was summoned back from a trip to Uganda to answer questions about her undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials while on holiday.
She discussed sending aid to the Israeli army without the knowledge of the Foreign Office, and did not make this clear to the prime minister after apologising on Monday.
‘I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation,’ she said in a letter.
The Cabinet minister was seen to enter Downing Street through a back entrance rather than the famous black door of Number 10 tonight.
In a letter accepting the resignation tonight, Theresa May said: ‘As you know, the UK and Israel are close allies, and it is right that we should work closely together.
‘But that must be done formally, and through official channels.
‘That is why, when we met on Monday, I was glad to accept your apology and welcomed your clarification about your trip to Israel over the summer.
‘Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided top resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advanced.’
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