Priti Patel quits as home secretary after Liz Truss’s leadership victory

Priti Patel has quit as home secretary to return to the backbenches, hours after Liz Truss won a leadership contest to become the next prime minister.

In a letter to Boris Johnson, who remains prime minister until formally handing his resignation to the Queen on Tuesday, Patel said: “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 of the country and the Witham constituency from the backbenches, once Liz formally assumes office and a new home secretary is appointed.”

Patel was widely expected to be replaced as home secretary by Suella Braverman, the former attorney general.