World

Priti Patel's cabinet future in doubt over Israel trip row

November 8, 2017 3:07 pm

Priti Patel has arrived in Downing Street to meet Theresa May to find out if she is to be sacked amid controversy over meetings with Israeli ministers.

The international development secretary was ordered by the PM to cut short an African trip to fly back to the UK.

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said a source told her that Ms Patel would rather resign than be sacked.

Article continues after advertisement

Ms Patel apologised on Monday to the PM about unauthorised meetings with Israeli politicians in August.

But there are now questions about further meetings held in September.

Ms Patel arrived via the back door of Number 10 for her meeting with the prime minister after flying back to London Heathrow from Uganda.

The BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale said that by holding the secret meetings with Israeli officials, Ms Patel had broken “one of the cardinal principles of government, namely collective responsibility, the idea that government speaks and acts as one once a policy has been agreed”.

He said this was about practicalities – so part of Whitehall knows what the other part is doing – and it also ensures ministers remain accountable.