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Maria Miller resigns as culture secretary over expenses row Maria Miller resigns as culture secretary over expenses row
(35 minutes later)
Maria Miller has resigned as culture secretary over the controversy over her expenses.Maria Miller has resigned as culture secretary over the controversy over her expenses.
In a letter to the prime minister, David Cameron, Miller said the controversyIn a letter to the prime minister, David Cameron, Miller said the controversy
over her expenses had "become a distraction from the vital work this government is doing".over her expenses had "become a distraction from the vital work this government is doing".
On Tuesday night, Miller launched a desperate fightback against growing pressure to resign, as On Tuesday night, Miller launched a desperate fightback against growing pressure to resign, as
one of her aides canvassed backbenchers for support and then toured TV one of her aides canvassed backbenchers for support and then toured TV
studios to accuse the media of whipping up the row over her expenses in studios to accuse the media of whipping up the row over her expenses in
revenge for press regulation and gay marriage.revenge for press regulation and gay marriage.
But on Wednesday morning, with the row entering its seventh day, her resignation was accepted by Cameron, who told Miller he was sad at the circumstances of her departure and hoped she could make a return "in due course".But on Wednesday morning, with the row entering its seventh day, her resignation was accepted by Cameron, who told Miller he was sad at the circumstances of her departure and hoped she could make a return "in due course".
Her departure follows days of mounting public and political pressure on the MP to Her departure follows days of mounting public and political pressure on the MP to
quit amid signs she was losing support among Tory colleagues despite Cameron's backing.quit amid signs she was losing support among Tory colleagues despite Cameron's backing.
In her resignation letter, the Basingstoke MP told Cameron she was "very grateful" for his personal support.
"But it has become clear to me that the present situation has become
a distraction from the vital work this government is doing to turn our
country around," she added.
She defended her work on press regulation - which allies have suggested has resulted in a media "witch hunt" against her.
"Of course, implementing the recommendations made by Lord Justice
Leveson on the future of media regulation, following the phone hacking
scandals, would always be controversial for the press," she wrote.
"Working together with you, I believe we struck the right balance
between protecting the freedom of the press and ensuring fairness,
particularly for victims of press intrusion, to have a clear right of
redress."
Cameron told her it was "important to be clear that the Committee
on Standards cleared you of the unfounded allegations made against you,
a point which has been lost in much of the comment in recent days".
The standards committee ordered her to repay £5,800 in overclaimed
mortgage interest and say sorry on the floor of the House - an apology
which has been widely criticised for its tone and brevity.
Cameron wrote he was "personally very grateful for the support you have always given me, and which I am sure that you will continue to give".
Maria Miller's letter of resignationMaria Miller's letter of resignation
9 April 20149 April 2014
Dear Prime MinisterDear Prime Minister
It is with great regret that I have decided that I should tender my resignation as a member of the Cabinet.It is with great regret that I have decided that I should tender my resignation as a member of the Cabinet.
I am very grateful to you for your personal support but it has I am very grateful to you for your personal support but it has
become clear to me that the present situation has become a distraction become clear to me that the present situation has become a distraction
from the vital work this Government is doing to turn our country around.from the vital work this Government is doing to turn our country around.
I have been a member of the Conservative Party for more than 30 I have been a member of the Conservative Party for more than 30
years. As a working mother, educated at a South Wales comprehensive years. As a working mother, educated at a South Wales comprehensive
school, I know that it is our party that understands the importance of school, I know that it is our party that understands the importance of
giving everyone the opportunity to succeed regardless of where they comegiving everyone the opportunity to succeed regardless of where they come
from. from.
I am immensely proud of what my team have been able to achieve I am immensely proud of what my team have been able to achieve
during my time in Government: ensuring that our arts and cultural during my time in Government: ensuring that our arts and cultural
institutions receive the rightful recognition that they deserve in institutions receive the rightful recognition that they deserve in
making Britain Great; putting women front and centre of every aspect of making Britain Great; putting women front and centre of every aspect of
DCMS's work; putting in place the legislation to enable all couples to DCMS's work; putting in place the legislation to enable all couples to
have the opportunity to marry regardless of their sexuality.have the opportunity to marry regardless of their sexuality.
Of course, implementing the recommendations made by Lord Justice Of course, implementing the recommendations made by Lord Justice
Leveson on the future of media regulation, following the phone hacking Leveson on the future of media regulation, following the phone hacking
scandals, would always be controversial for the press. Working together scandals, would always be controversial for the press. Working together
with you, I believe we struck the right balance between protecting the with you, I believe we struck the right balance between protecting the
freedom of the press and ensuring fairness, particularly for victims of freedom of the press and ensuring fairness, particularly for victims of
press intrusion to have a clear right of redress.press intrusion to have a clear right of redress.
I will continue to support you and the work of the Government as youI will continue to support you and the work of the Government as you
move forward. Ensuring the best future for the people of Basingstoke move forward. Ensuring the best future for the people of Basingstoke
has been my priority throughout the last nine years. Whether on the has been my priority throughout the last nine years. Whether on the
front or back benches of the House of Commons I will continue this work.front or back benches of the House of Commons I will continue this work.
The only reason I was able to become an MP and indeed a government The only reason I was able to become an MP and indeed a government
minister and cabinet minister is because of the unstinting support of myminister and cabinet minister is because of the unstinting support of my
husband, my mother, my father and my three children. I owe them all a husband, my mother, my father and my three children. I owe them all a
great deal.great deal.
Maria MillerMaria Miller
David Cameron's reply to Maria MillerDavid Cameron's reply to Maria Miller
9 April 20149 April 2014
Dear MariaDear Maria
Thank you for your letter. I was very sorry to receive it.Thank you for your letter. I was very sorry to receive it.
I think it is important to be clear that the Committee on Standards I think it is important to be clear that the Committee on Standards
cleared you of the unfounded allegations made against you, a point whichcleared you of the unfounded allegations made against you, a point which
has been lost in much of the comment in recent days. has been lost in much of the comment in recent days.
You can be extremely proud of your work in Government – as SecretaryYou can be extremely proud of your work in Government – as Secretary
of State for Culture, Media and Sport, as Minister for Women and as of State for Culture, Media and Sport, as Minister for Women and as
Minister for Disabled People.Minister for Disabled People.
You have been responsible for successfully handling two of the most You have been responsible for successfully handling two of the most
controversial issues with which this Government has dealt.controversial issues with which this Government has dealt.
As Culture As Culture
Secretary, you have played a critical role in advancing Britain's proud Secretary, you have played a critical role in advancing Britain's proud
record of respect and equality in piloting the Equal Marriage Act record of respect and equality in piloting the Equal Marriage Act
through Parliament and onto the Statute Book. There are many people in through Parliament and onto the Statute Book. There are many people in
our country today, and there will be many in the future, who will alwaysour country today, and there will be many in the future, who will always
be grateful for this very important change, which you did so much to be grateful for this very important change, which you did so much to
bring about. You have also handled the sensitive subject of press bring about. You have also handled the sensitive subject of press
regulation with skill and dedication.regulation with skill and dedication.
You can be very proud as well that you have led one of the most You can be very proud as well that you have led one of the most
important infrastructure projects: many more premises are now able to important infrastructure projects: many more premises are now able to
access super-fast broadband . You have also ensured a lasting legacy foraccess super-fast broadband . You have also ensured a lasting legacy for
the Olympic Games. the Olympic Games.
As you leave the Government, you should be proud of your service on the Frontbench and in Opposition.As you leave the Government, you should be proud of your service on the Frontbench and in Opposition.
I am personally very grateful for the support you have always given I am personally very grateful for the support you have always given
me, and which I am sure that you will continue to give. I hope that you me, and which I am sure that you will continue to give. I hope that you
will be able to return to serving the Government on the Frontbench in will be able to return to serving the Government on the Frontbench in
due course, and am only sad that you are leaving the Government in thesedue course, and am only sad that you are leaving the Government in these
circumstances. circumstances.
David CameronDavid Cameron