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09/04/2014
Maria Miller Quits As Culture Secretary
Maria Miller has resigned from her role as Culture Secretary.
The move comes after a week of increasing pressure following an expenses row, and subsequent investigation.
In a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, Mrs Miller said she was "very grateful" for his support during the row, but she also recognised that the controversy "has become a distraction from the vital work this Government is doing".
Mrs Miller was cleared of funding a home for her parents at taxpayers' expense, but was told she needed to repay £5,800 of the expenses she claimed. An independent parliamentary commissioner for standards had previously recommended she repay £45,000, but the lower amount was approved by the Commons Standards Committee.
In addition, the committee also criticised her "attitude" during the investigation, which it ruled was a breach of the parliamentary code of conduct.
Last week, following the investigation's findings, she issued a 32-second apology in the Commons which was heavily criticised due to the brevity of the apology.
It was then revealed that the former Culture Secretary met with the Prime Minister on Tuesday (8 April) and her resignation was confirmed on Wednesday.
(CVS/JP)
The move comes after a week of increasing pressure following an expenses row, and subsequent investigation.
In a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, Mrs Miller said she was "very grateful" for his support during the row, but she also recognised that the controversy "has become a distraction from the vital work this Government is doing".
Mrs Miller was cleared of funding a home for her parents at taxpayers' expense, but was told she needed to repay £5,800 of the expenses she claimed. An independent parliamentary commissioner for standards had previously recommended she repay £45,000, but the lower amount was approved by the Commons Standards Committee.
In addition, the committee also criticised her "attitude" during the investigation, which it ruled was a breach of the parliamentary code of conduct.
Last week, following the investigation's findings, she issued a 32-second apology in the Commons which was heavily criticised due to the brevity of the apology.
It was then revealed that the former Culture Secretary met with the Prime Minister on Tuesday (8 April) and her resignation was confirmed on Wednesday.
(CVS/JP)
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