International Development Secretary Priti Patel has resigned after it emerged she held 14 unofficial meetings with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, without informing the Foreign Office or Downing Street. The meetings took place during a family holiday in August and were attended by Lord Polak, a Conservative lobbyist.
Prime Minister Theresa May accepted Patel's resignation following a six-minute meeting on Wednesday evening. In her resignation letter, Patel admitted her actions "fell below the high standards expected of a secretary of state." May responded that Patel's decision was correct, stating that while the UK and Israel are close allies, engagement must be conducted formally through official channels.
The resignation is the second cabinet departure in a week, following Defence Secretary Michael Fallon's resignation over allegations of sexual harassment. The developments have heightened instability within May's minority government, which is already grappling with Brexit negotiations and internal party divisions.
Patel's meetings included discussions with Netanyahu, businesspeople, and a senior lobbyist. The Foreign Office was not informed, and no officials were present. Patel initially claimed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was aware of the meetings, but later backtracked. The controversy has sparked accusations of a "hatchet job" by the Foreign Office against Patel, a prominent Brexiteer.
A replacement for Patel is expected to be announced on Thursday. Potential candidates include Penny Mordaunt, Andrea Leadsom, Claire Perry, and Alistair Burt, as May seeks to maintain cabinet balance between Leave and Remain supporters.
