Indian origin UK minister Priti Patel resigns over 'secret' meeting in Israel

London : Indian-origin International Development Secretary of UK, Priti Patel, has resigned from her post amid escalating storm over her 'secret' unofficial meeting with Israel officials during her holiday trip.

Patel is under pressure after it was revealed that she held unauthorised meetings with senior Israeli officials during a family holiday in August, the BBC reported.

She apologised to Theresa May for holding unofficial meetings in Israel. The opposition Labour Party called for an investigation into her apparent breaches of protocol.

During the visit, Patel, who paid for the trip herself, met a dozen politicians and organisations, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuval Rotem, a senior Israeli Foreign Ministry official.

She also met Yair Lapid, the leader of one of Israel's main political parties, and made visits to several organisations where official departmental business was reportedly discussed.

Patel's press office confirmed that she had cut short her official trip to Africa to travel back to Britain on Wednesday, amid widespread speculation that May would be forced to sack her.

She was formally reprimanded in Downing Street on Monday, where she was asked to give details about a dozen meetings she had with Israeli officials while on holiday.

(IANS with added inputs)