Priti Patel resigns as Home Secretary of the UK

Image by GOV.UK

Britain’s Home Secretary Priti Patel has resigned from her post after Liz Truss was elected as the Prime Minister on Monday. She held the post for three years.

In a resignation tendered to Boris Johnson, who gave his final speech on Tuesday morning, Patel wrote, “I congratulate Liz Truss on being elected our new Leader, and will give her my support as our new Prime Minister.”

It has been reported that Truss had already planned to remove Patel from her position in the cabinet reshuffle, placing Attorney General for England and Wales, Suella Braverman, in her place.

However, Patel mentioned in her letter, “It is my choice to continue my public service to the country and the Witham constituency from the backbenches, once Liz formally assumes office and a new Home Secretary is appointed.”

Patel continued to write, “Britain had always been a beacon for freedom and democracy and I have been proud to work with you over the last three years to make that light shine brighter.

“All this has been achieved despite the relentless efforts of our political opponents and left-wing activists, lawyers and campaigners.”

Patel, had considered being part of the race to become the next prime minister earlier this summer after several of her colleagues encouraged her to do so. But, she later pulled out.

Sources close to Liz Truss confirmed that Braverman was being considered for Patel’s post, even though she was happy to remain the Home Secretary.

Reports suggest that Patel probably resigned due to this before being ousted and sent her resignation to Boris Johnson instead of Liz Truss. Liz Truss defeated her rival, ex-chancellor Rishi Sunak, after results were announced on Monday following several weeks of campaigning by both the sides. Now, she faces several challenges as part of her leadership as the UK struggles with inflation and cost of living crisis.