Maria Miller has resigned as culture minister following a damaging row about her expenses claims.
Miller has denied that she was forced out of her position, and instead admitted that the expenses row had become an “enormous distraction”, saying:
“I take full responsibility for my decision to resign. I think it’s the right thing to do”
Conservative MP Sajid Javid will replace her as culture secretary.
The independent parliamentary commissioner for standards had recommended that Miller repay £45,000 of the expenses she had claimed. However, parliament reduced that sum to £5,800 and called on Miller to apologise for her refusal to cooperate with the parliamentary investigation.
Her 31 second apology only proved to accelerate her demise, with few ingratiated to her attitude, which many described as a moody teenager’s “whatever”.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said that he hoped Miller would return to the cabinet “in due course”.
