British Cabinet Minister Priti Patel on Wednesday resigned as the international development secretary after reports that she held a series of undisclosed meetings in Israel earlier this year came to light, The Guardian reported.

She is believed to have met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, other senior political figures, businessmen and lobbyists while on a holiday with her family in August and failed to properly disclose everything about the meetings to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Advertisement

Patel, who has long been viewed as a rising star of the party, was ordered to return from an official trip to Africa on Monday. She met May for six minutes on Wednesday evening before handing in her resignation. In a statement, she said her actions “fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state”.

Penny Mordaunt, an outspoken Brexit supporter and former work and pensions minister, took over as the international development secretary.

This is the second time May has had to reshuffle her cabinet within a week. Michael Fallon resigned on November 1 as Defence Secretary amid sexual harassment allegations against him.