(CNN) Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May lost a key ally late Sunday with the resignation of Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who quit after claiming she "inadvertently misled" government over targets for the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Rudd resigned Sunday amid a growing scandal over the government's mistreatment of the so-called "Windrush generation," men and women from the Caribbean who arrived in Britain in the 1950s and 60s, but in recent years have been declared illegal immigrants despite having lived in the country for decades.The high-ranking minister had been under pressure to step down over her involvement in the affair, following allegations that members of the Windrush generation -- so named after the ship that had brought hundreds of Caribbean migrants to Britain -- had recently been refused medical care, denied housing and threatened with deportation.
On Monday, Rudd was due to face a fiery session in the House of Commons. Instead, May is expected to announce Rudd's replacement, an influential role that comes at a delicate time for the UK government as its negotiates Britain's exit from the European Union.Parliament will also debate a petition Monday calling for an amnesty for "anyone who was a minor that arrived In Britain between 1948 to 1971," which would include the Windrush generation.
Amber Rudd
Rudd's downfall
The Home Affairs Select Committee questioned Rudd last week over government targets for the removal of illegal immigrants. Rudd told the committee she had no knowledge of targets. However, the Guardian on Sunday published a memo written by Rudd in which she said deportation quotas had been set.
"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," Rudd said in her resignation letter.
Prime Minister May accepted Rudd's resignation, writing: "I was very sorry to receive it, but understand your reasons for doing so."
May said that Rudd had answered questions from the House of Commons and the Home Affairs Select Committee in good faith, but that she understood her decision to step down that Rudd had reviewed the advice she'd been given.
On Saturday, more than 200 Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum signed a letter addressed to May accusing Rudd of making up immigration policy "on the hoof" in a bid to overcome the scandal.
More at https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/29/europe/amber-rudd-home-secretary-resigns/index.html