Baroness Warsi quits Cabinet over Gaza conflict

Sayeeda Warsi has resigned from her position as senior Foreign Office minister over the Government’s “morally indefensible” policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Lady Warsi, Britain’s first Muslim female minister, wrote a highly critical resignation letter to the Prime Minister and broke the news before David Cameron issued a response, writing on Twitter today: “With deep regret I have this morning written to the Prime Minister & tendered my resignation. I can no longer support Govt policy on #Gaza”.

Her resignation letter also expressed concern at the loss of “experience and expertise” in the cabinet after the recent reshuffle saw the departure of moderates Ken Clarke and Dominic Grieve.

Labour has backed Lady Warsi’s comments, but Chancellor George Osborne called her resignation “disappointing and frankly unnecessary”. David Cameron thanked her for her “excellent work”, adding that he wanted an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.