Here’s everything to know about Amber Rudd’s resignation as Home Secretary

And who is going to replace her…

Amber Rudd has officially resigned as Home Secretary, a decision which has reportedly left Prime Minister Theresa May ‘very sad’ to see her go.

The decision came after significant pressure for Rudd to step down, prompted by her handling of the Windrush scandal, with claims that she misled Parliament over targets for removing illegal immigrants.

‘It is with great regret that I am resigning as home secretary,’ Amber Rudd wrote in her resignation letter to PM Theresa May. ‘I feel it is necessary to do so because I inadvertently misled the Home Affairs Select Committee over targets for removal of illegal immigrants during their questions on Windrush.’

She continued: ‘Since appearing before the select committee, I have reviewed the advice I was given on this issue and become aware of information provided to my office which makes mention of targets. I should have been aware of this, and I take full responsibility for the fact that I was not.

The Windrush scandal has rightly shone a light on an important issue for our country. As so often, the instincts of the British people are right. They want people who have a right to live here to be treated fairly and humanely, which has sometimes not been the case. But they also want the government to remove those who don't have the right to be here. I had hoped in coming months to devise a policy that would allow the government to meet both these vital objectives - including bringing forward urgent legislation to ensure the rights of the Windrush generation are protected. The task force is working well, the residence cards are being issued well within the two weeks promised, and the design of the compensation scheme is making good progress.The Home Office is one of the great offices of state and its job is to keep people safe. It comes with the responsibility to fight terrorism, support and challenge the police and protect people against the abuse, as well as manage migration.’

‘It has been a great privilege to serve as your home secretary,’ she concluded. ‘I have seen first-hand the second to none commitment and bravery of our police, fire and intelligence services, they truly are the best in the world and we should rightly be extremely proud of them.’

‘Thank you for your letter of this evening tendering your resignation as home secretary,’ Theresa May replied. ‘I was very sorry to receive it, but understand your reasons for doing so’, before adding later, ‘I am very sorry to see you leaving the Home Office.’

What is a Home Secretary?

Home secretary is a British Cabinet level position, predominantly responsible for the internal affairs of England and Wales, and overseeing citizenship of the UK.

Who is replacing Amber Rudd as Home Secretary?

Theresa May accepted Amber Rudd’s resignation last night, already appointing Communities Secretary Sajid Javid as her replacement this morning, with Javid, whose parents are Pakistani, becoming the first ever Home Secretary from an ethnic minority background.