London: Priti Patel has decided to resign as the UK Home Secretary and plans not to serve in the cabinet of the newly-elected Prime Minister Liz Truss.
In a letter to outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Ms Patel wrote, “It is my choice to continue my public service to the country and the Witham constituency from the backbenches, once Liz Truss formally assumes office and a new Home Secretary is appointed.”
She congratulated Liz Truss on being elected as the country’s new leader, and promised to give her support to her as the new Prime Minister. “From the backbenches, I will champion many of the policies and causes I have stood up for both inside and outside of Government,” she added.
She expressed deep honour to have worked as the UK Home Secretary for the last three years. “I am proud of our work to back the police, reform our immigration system and protect our country,” she wrote.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the country with you during your premiership,” Patel wrote for outgoing PM Boris Johnson.
Recalling Johnson’s contributions during his tenure as the PM, Patel wrote, “In July 2019, when you became Prime Minister, our political system was broken. Parliament was tearing itself apart as some MPs showed contempt for democracy and desperately tried to block Brexit.”
“You set out a clear plan to get Brexit done, broke the deadlock in Parliament, and secured a historic Conservative victory at the 2019 General Election, winning the largest share of the vote for a political party since Margaret Thatcher,” she added.
“Under your leadership, we have made our country safer, strengthened law and order, delivered our Manifesto commitments, and laid strong foundations for our successors at Number 10 and in the Home Office to build on,” Ms Patel continued.
Liz Truss was announced as the new head of the Conservative Party today. Forty-seven-year-old Liz Truss will become the third female prime minister of the UK.
