Suella Braverman has resigned from Liz Truss’s government after sending an official document from her personal email in a breach of the security rules for government.
In a resignation letter sent to the prime minister on Wednesday, Ms Braverman said: “I have made a mistake; I accept responsibility; I resign.”
The former Conservative leadership candidate also expressed “concerns about the direction of this government”.
Her shock departure comes as Ms Truss battles to cling on to the keys to Number 10.
Sky News understands Ms Truss is intending to appoint former transport secretary Grant Shapps to the now vacant home secretary role.
He was seen entering Number 10 this afternoon.
Truss ridiculed over U-turns – Politics latest
Ms Braverman emphasised in her letter to Ms Truss that “resignation is the right thing to do” when “a mistake” is made.
At Prime Minister’s Questions earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister made a public apology to MPs in her first Commons appearance since her economic plan was ditched by new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Monday.
“I have been very clear that I am sorry and that I have made mistakes,” she said.
“The right thing to do in those circumstances is to make changes, which I have made, and to get on with the job and deliver for the British people.”
In her resignation letter sent to Ms Truss, Ms Braverman said: “Earlier today, I sent an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague as part of policy engagement, and with the aim of garnering support for government policy on migration.
“This constitutes a technical infringement of the rules.
“As you know, the document was a draft Written Ministerial Statement about migration, due for publication imminently. Much of it had already been briefed to MPs. Nevertheless it is right for me to go.
“As soon as I realised my mistake, I rapidly reported this on official channels, and informed the cabinet secretary.
“As home secretary I hold myself to the highest standards and my resignation is the right thing to do.”
She added: “The business of government relies upon people accepting responsibility for their mistakes.
“Pretending we haven’t made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone can’t see that we have made them, and hoping that things will magically come right is not serious politics.”
Ms Braverman was only appointed by Ms Truss 43 days ago.
The latest cabinet departure follows the sacking of chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng last Friday.
The Liberal Democrats described Ms Braverman’s exit as the latest in a “carousel of Conservative chaos”.
“This is a government in chaos. People should not be forced to watch the Conservative party implode day after day while real people suffer,” Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said.
“There is a cost of living catastrophe, health service crisis and now a rudderless Home Office.
“The only solution now is a general election so the public can get off this carousel of Conservative chaos.”
