Priti Patel 'overwhelmed' by support after quitting cabinet Published duration 11 November 2017

media caption Priti Patel says she has been "inundated" with support since resigning over unofficial meetings in Israel

Priti Patel has made her first public appearance since resigning as UK international development secretary after a row over unauthorised meetings.

Ms Patel, 45, attended the Armistice Day service in her Witham constituency in Essex on Saturday.

Earlier this week, she was summoned to Downing Street and quit her cabinet post over her meetings with Israeli officials.

After the service, she said she had been "inundated" with support.

Ms Patel quit her post on Wednesday, admitting unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials had "lacked transparency".

image caption Ms Patel said she had been "overwhelmed" by people's support

Last week the BBC revealed how she had arranged a number of meetings with business and political figures during a family holiday to Israel in August, without telling Downing Street or the Foreign Office.

It later emerged that after Ms Patel's visit to Israel she asked her officials to look into whether Britain could support humanitarian operations conducted by the Israeli army in the occupied Golan Heights area.

media caption Priti Patel is filmed leaving the back entrance of 10 Downing Street

The Conservative MP did not take any questions during her visit to Saturday's service, but told the BBC: "I've been overwhelmed with support from colleagues across the political divide.

"Of course, nothing is more humbling than the support I've received from my constituents.

"I look forward to returning to Parliament on Monday where I will continue to be a strong voice for Witham and Britain."

Like her predecessor, she had also backed Brexit in last year's referendum.