Theresa May on Priti Patel's resignation: Read her letter in full

International Development Secretary forced to resign and both enters and leaves Downing Street through the back door

Priti Patel was forced to resign from Cabinet over undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials.

She was forced to cut a visit to Kenya short after she was summoned back to the UK by Theresa May.

The former International Development Secretary entered and left Downing Street through the back door after she was left with no option but to hand in her resignation.

Ms May responded to Ms Patel’s resignation and told her it was “right that you have decided to resign”.

Read the letter in full:

Dear Priti

Thank you for your letter following our meeting this evening confirming your resignation as Secretary of State for International Development.

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 to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated.

As you do so, you should take pride in what you have achieved as Secretary of State. You have ensured that the UK aid budget continues to deliver value for money for British taxpayers, in support of our national interest, while helping some of the world's most vulnerable people. The reforms to which you secured agreement at the High Level Meeting in Paris last week are just one recent example of this.

Under your leadership, the Department for International Development has increased its work on economic development, including on trade, helping developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty and creating the trading partners of the future. I also welcome your efforts on the global health agenda, notably as co-host of the Family Planning Summit in London this summer, and DFID' s work in leading the humanitarian response in the Overseas Territories affected by the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean, and responding to the refugee crisis in Burma and Bangladesh.

Through this work and more, you have helped to ensure that, as the UK leaves the EU, we build a truly Global Britain.

You rightly take pride in being the first British Indian Cabinet Minister - a significant achievement which follows your work as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Minister of State for Employment, and your years of service to your constituents in Witham, whom I know you will continue to serve with great commitment and devotion.

Yours ever,

Theresa May