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A Tory Brexit minister has quit after injuring herself leaping out of a Black Hawk helicopter in Bosnia

Baroness Anelay has said she is standing down as Minister of State for Exiting the European Union because of an injury caused when a ladder out of the aircraft hadn't 'materialised'.

The peer was touring Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet victims of war and terror when she sustained the 'uncomfortable injury'.

She told Conservative Home: "It was the Black Hawk helicopter that did it.

"It was 2015, and as a Foreign Office Minister I was touring Bosnia and Herzegovina, meeting victims of war and terror for whom British overseas power had been a ladder out of oppression.

(Image: AFP)

"Unfortunately for me, that particular ladder hadn’t materialised when it came to getting out of the helicopter.

"One ill-judged leap later, and I sustained an uncomfortable injury that has called time on my ministerial career after two decades on the Front Bench."

The baroness, who voted remain in the referendum, said she had accepted the Brexit role because the government had a 'duty to act on the instructions of the electorate'.

The peer added: “If I have any advice for those entering public service it is this: first, go for it with everything you can muster. Second, be proud of our party. And third, always be careful when getting out of a Black Hawk helicopter.”

In her resignation letter to Theresa May, released by No 10, Baroness Anelay said she was stepping down “with regret”.

She added: “It is a great disappointment that a worsening of an injury sustained in 2015 has forced my decision.”

The PM replied: “I am very sorry that your circumstances have forced you to take this decision, which I fully understand.

“I am disappointed that we will no longer have the benefit of your wisdom and experience in Government, but I know that you will continue to contribute to proceedings in the House of Lords.

“You should be extremely proud of your 20 years of service to our party and our country as a member of the Conservative frontbench team in the House of Lords.”

Her shock resignation plunged the Government into fresh Brexit chaos after a week of EU withdrawal confusion and contradiction among senior Cabinet ministers.

Her resignation triggered a small reshuffle of junior ministers.

Lord Callanan, who spent 15 years as a Member of the European Parliament, has been appointed as her replacement.

Aviation Minister Lord Callanan - who hours earlier had spoken at a reception marking the 30th birthday of London City Airport - was appointed to the Brexit Department.

David Cameron’s former top aide, Baroness Liz Sugg, was made a Transport Minister.

David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, said: "Joyce has made an invaluable contribution to ensuring a successful departure from the EU through her work representing Britain abroad, and representing the Department in the House of Lords.

"She's been a great part of our Ministerial team and a good friend. I wish her all the best as she returns to the back benches where she will bring an unparalleled level of experience to the task of scrutinising Brexit legislation on its way through the House of Lords.

"I'm delighted to welcome Lord Callanan to the Department — he brings with him a wealth of experience in Brussels and a proven ability in political leadership.

"I look forward to working together as a Ministerial team to continue delivering the important task of negotiating our exit from the European Union and making a success of Brexit."

(Image: AFP)

Letter from Baroness Anelay to the Prime Minister

Baroness Anelay wrote:

Dear Prime Minister,

It is with regret that I write to confirm formally my resignation as Minister of State for Exiting the European Union.

After 20 years on the Front Bench, including four years as Government Chief Whip, and three years as a Minister at the FCO and DExEU, it is a great disappointment that a worsening of an injury sustained in 2015 has forced my decision.

I am most grateful to you for your acceptance and understanding.

I am immensely proud of what the Government has achieved while I have been a part of it, and am grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve.

I will continue to support you and your Government as strongly from the backbenches as I have while serving on the Front Bench.

As you are aware I voted remain in the referendum, but having taken the EU Referendum Act through Parliament, I believe that we have a duty to act on the instructions of the electorate.

When you asked me to become Minister of State at DExEU in June this year it was therefore an offer I accepted without hesitation

It has been a privilege to work with, and see first-hand the dedication and commitment of David Davis, Robin Walker, Steve Baker and the team of talented and professional Civil Servants working in support of our negotiations.

The analysis and engagement that has taken place since the Department was created has driven the progress in the negotiations to date.

I leave the Department certain that the negotiations surrounding our exit, and our future relationship with the EU, will be successful.

Alongside my duties in the House of Lords, where the quality of debate has shown the House at its very best, it has been an honour to represent the Government at the General Affairs Council of the European Union.

During the last three meetings of the General Affairs Council our participation has demonstrated that until we have left, we will continue to play a role in representing the interests of the people of the United Kingdom and continue to contribute to, and shape, the EU agenda.

I have spoken in support of the importance of protection for journalists and quality journalism in safeguarding media pluralism; to highlight the UK’s on-going commitment to European security; and to advocate for open and free trade.

These are all issues which reflect the fact that whilst we may be leaving the EU, we retain shared values, and we wish to remain the closest possible neighbours and friends.

Yours, as ever

Joyce

Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE

(Image: PA)

Letter from the Prime Minister to Baroness Anelay

The Prime Minister wrote:

Dear Joyce,

Thank you for your letter informing me of your decision to resign from the Government. I am very sorry that your circumstances have forced you to take this decision, which I fully understand.

I am disappointed that we will no longer have the benefit of your wisdom and experience in Government, but I know that you will continue to contribute to proceedings in the House of Lords.

You should be extremely proud of your 20 years of service to our party and our country as a member of the Conservative front bench team in the House of Lords.

You have served the Government with distinction since 2010, as our Chief Whip in the House of Lords for four years, and as a Minister of State in several departments since 2014.

I am particularly grateful for your work in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for Exiting the European Union since I became Prime Minister in July 2016.

As you say in your letter, we have a very strong team of Ministers and officials in the Department for Exiting the European Union.

Thanks to your work as part of that team, you leave the Department in a strong position as we continue our negotiations with the European Union and work to secure the right deal for the whole of the United Kingdom.

Thank you again for your service, and I wish you all the best for the future.

With best wishes

Theresa