The newly appointed United Kingdom Education Minister, Michelle Donelan has resigned after spending two days in office.
She announced her resignation in a statement via Twitter on Thursday, saying Prime Minister Boris Johnson had put her in “an impossible situation”.
The statement read in full, “It has been the privilege and honor of my life to serve for our country in the department which I believe is the most important, the true engine of opportunity, the Department of Education.
“I have spent my career dedicated to trying to create opportunities, or as I call it ‘opening doors’, to ensure that where you are from is no limit where you end up. I have served on the Education Select Committee, as Children and Families Minister, Universities Minister, Higher and Further Education Minister and most recently Secretary of State.
“Whilst I remain very worried about the prospect of no ministers in the Department as we approach results day- the impact on students is real- as you know, yesterday I pleaded with you to do the right thing and resign for the sake of our country and our party, both are more important than any one person.
“In life we must always do what we believe is right. Above all I am here to serve the British public. I see no way that you can continue in post, but without a formal mechanism to remove you it seems that the only way that is possible is for those of us who remain in Cabinet to force your hand.
“You have put us in an impossible situation. I am deeply saddened that it has come to this, but as someone who values integrity above all else, I have no choice.
“I will continue to champion opportunity for our brilliantly talented and inspiring young people from the backbenches.”
Donelan was promoted from universities minister, a role she has held since February 2020 to education secretary on Wednesday. She replaced Nadhim Zahawi who was promoted to chancellor following a wave of resignations over Boris Johnson’s leadership.
