Mrs Patel’s resignation on Wednesday was the second to hit the cabinet in the space of a week, after Michael Fallon stood down amid allegations about his behaviour.
She was summoned back from a trip to Africa by Mrs May following revelations about her unofficial meetings with Israeli ministers, lobbyists and business figures.
In a statement announcing her resignation, Mrs Patel admitted that her actions “fell below the high standards that are expected of a secretary of state”.
She added her actions had been meant with “the best intentions”and offered a “fulsome apology” to the Prime Minister and the government.
Penny Mordaunt has replaced Priti Patel in cabinet reshuffle
