Priti Patel has written to Boris Johnson telling him she will be resigning as Home Secretary after Liz Truss takes office as prime minister.
In a tweet, Ms Patel said: "It has been the honour of my life to serve as Home Secretary for the last three years. I am proud of our work to back the police, reform our immigration system and protect our country.
In her resignation letter to Boris Johnson, shared on social media, Ms Patel said it was her “choice” to continue her public service from the backbenches, when Ms Truss formally takes up her post as prime minister on Tuesday.
While she pledged her support for the new leader, she said it was “vital” that she continued to support the policies she had pursued to tackle illegal immigration – including the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda.
In a tweet, Patel said: "It has been the honour of my life to serve as Home Secretary for the last three years
Twitter: Priti Patel
In the letter Patel says: "It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the country with you during your premiership.
"In July 2019, when you became Prime Minister, our political system was broken.
"Parliament was tearing itself apart as some MPs showed contempt for democracy and desperately tried to block Brexit.
"You set out a clear plan to get Brexit done, broke the deadlock in Parliament, and secured a historic Conservative victory at the 2019 General Election, winning the largest share of the vote for a political party since Margaret Thatcher.
"It has been the honour of my life to serve our country as Home Secretary for the last three years and to deliver on our commitments to back and reform our police, stand up for the hard-working law-abiding majority, reform our immigration and asylum system, and fight terrorism.
"Your support over this period has delivered an unparalleled package of reforms and investment."
Priti Patel has written to Boris Johnson telling him she will be resigning as Home Secretary after Liz Truss takes office as prime minister.
Priti Patel
She later goes on to congratulate Liz Truss for winning the Conservative Party leadership contest, saying: "I congratulate Liz Truss on being elected our new Leader, and will give her my support as our new Prime Minister.
"It is my choice to continue my public service to the country and the Witham constituency from the backbenches, once Liz formally assumes office and a new Home Secretary is appointed.
"From the backbenches, I will champion many of the policies and causes I have stood upfor both inside and outside of Government.
"Thank you for the great honour you have given me, not only in making me Home Secretary, but in supporting me throughout."