Amber Rudd resigns as Home Secretary

Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd has resigned as Home Secretary this evening (Sunday April 29).
Hastings and Rye MP Amber RuddHastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd
Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd

The Conservative politician, who retained her seat in Parliament by just 346 votes in last year’s general election from Labour, was appointed to the position when Theresa May became Prime Minister in 2016.

Mrs Rudd has come under fire over the last week for the Government’s handling of the Windrush scandal, where some migrants from Commonwealth countries, who settled in the UK, and their relatives had been declared illegal immigrants.

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She then apologised on Friday for saying she had not been aware of specific targets for the removal of illegal immigrants.

Mrs Rudd was due to make a statement in Parliament on Monday, but she has handed in her resignation to Mrs May, who has accepted it.

Savid Javid has since been appointed Home Secretary.

Before succeeding Mrs May as the holder of one of the country’s highest offices, Mrs Rudd was Secretary for Energy and Climate Change in David Cameron’s Government.

It is thought Mrs Rudd will continue in her role as MP for Hastings and Rye. In what appears to be her resignation letter to Theresa May, she said: “I will continue to support the Home Office ministerial team whenever possible on all these important subjects, supporting the Government from the back benches and continuing to work hard for my constituents of Hastings and Rye.”

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Huw Merriman, Bexhill and Battle MP, tweeted: “Really sorry to see Amber Rudd step down. Had all our support locally and on our benches. A great leader and a great friend. Will be back.”

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield added: “So sad to see Amber Rudd stepping down. Lots of support from residents at the weekend who wanted her to stay.”