LONDON: British aid minister Priti Patel resigned on Wednesday, saying her actions had fallen “below the high standards that are expected” of her position when she failed to disclose meetings with Israeli officials during a holiday.

After meeting Theresa May, the prime minister’s office released Patel’s resignation letter in which she apologised for causing “a distraction” from the work of government. May responded in a letter to say she believed Patel’s decision was “right”.

May had summoned Priti Patel back from a trip to Africa on Tuesday to explain her talks with Israeli politicians, in which she reportedly raised the possibility of Britain diverting aid to the Israeli army.

Patel had apologised on Monday for holding 12 separate meetings — including with Prime Minister Benja­min Netanyahu — during a family holiday to Israel in August, without notifying the Foreign Office or Down­ing Street in advance.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2017