9 Apr 2014

Maria Miller resigns as culture secretary in expenses row

Maria Miller has resigned as culture secretary due to the row over her expenses, Downing Street says. She will be replaced by Sajid Javid, the MP for Bromsgrove.

In a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, Mrs Miller said the controversy around her expenses “has become a distraction from the vital work this government is doing”.

In response, the prime minister wrote: “I think it is 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.”

He added: “I hope that you 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 these circumstances.”

‘Let people down’

The MP for Basingstoke issued a 32-second apology last week after she was ordered to repay nearly £6,000 in over-claimed mortgage expenses.

But on Tuesday night, amidst signs that support amongst her colleagues was dissolving, Mrs Miller issued a second apology – saying she had “let people down”.

The Conservative Party’s influential 1922 Committee was also expected to hear complaints from backbenchers over the way the incident had been handled at a meeting on Wednesday.

Mrs Miller had been defended by several Tory MPs, including the prime minister, who had argued that the standards committee report into Mrs Miller’s expenses had not found evidence of “dishonesty”.

You can see the full text of Mrs Miller’s resignation letter to the prime minister, and his response, below.

Maria Miller's resignation letter

Dear Prime Minister,

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 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.

I have been a member of the Conservative Party for more than 30 years. As a working mother, educated at a South Wales comprehensive school, I know that it is our party that understands the importance of giving everyone the opportunity to succeed regardless of where they come from.

I am immensely proud of what my team have been able to achieve during my time in government: ensuring that our arts and cultural institutions receive the rightful recognition that they deserve in 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 have the opportunity to marry regardless of their sexuality.

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. 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.

I will continue to support you and the work of the government as you move forward. Ensuring the best future for the people of Basingstoke 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.

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 my husband, my mother, my father and my three children.

I owe them all a great deal.

Maria Miller
David Cameron's response

Dear Maria,

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 cleared you of the unfounded allegations made against you, a point which has been lost in much of the comment in recent days.

You can be extremely proud of your work in government - as secretary of state for culture, media and sport, as minister for women and as minister for disabled people.

You have been responsible for successfully handling two of the most controversial issues with which this government has dealt. As culture secretary, you have played a critical role in advancing Britain's proud record of respect and equality in piloting the Equal Marriage Act 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 always be grateful for this very important change, which you did so much to bring about.

You have also handled the sensitive subject of press regulation with skill and dedication.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 access super-fast broadband . You have also ensured a lasting legacy for the Olympic Games.

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 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 due course, and am only sad that you are leaving the government in these circumstances.

David Cameron

Mini re-shuffle

Within hours, David Cameron had tweeted that Sajid Javid will become Culture Secretary. Mr Javid’s current role as Financial Secretary to the Treasury will be filled by Nicky Morgan. She will also become the Minister for Women, and attend cabinet in that role.

The former Conservative whip Michael Fabricant was sacked as party vice-chairman on Wednesday night after he posted a tweet that read: “about time”; an apparent celebration of Miller’s resignation.