Kelly Tolhurst: Minister resigns to spend 'precious time' with family after 'devastating news'
In a letter to Boris Johnson, Kelly Tolhurst says she took her decision after "much consideration and deep reflection".
Sunday 17 January 2021 03:55, UK
Housing minister Kelly Tolhurst has resigned from the government after receiving "devastating" family news.
In a letter to the prime minister, the Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood said she was stepping down in order to spend "precious time" with her loved ones in the "coming months".
Her decision was taken after "much consideration and deep reflection", she said.
The 42-year-old added that she hoped to serve in Boris Johnson's administration again in the "fullness of time".
Mr Johnson said he was "very sad" that Ms Tolhurst was standing down, adding that she had been a "brilliant minister at three departments but family must come first".
"My thoughts are with you and your loved ones at this difficult time," the PM wrote.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick tweeted that he was "deeply sorry" to lose Ms Tolhurst from his team, adding that she had been a "superb minister".
She will be replaced by assistant whip Eddie Hughes, Downing Street said.
In her letter, Ms Tolhurst wrote: "Following on from some devastating news for my family, after much consideration and deep reflection, it is with great sadness that I am writing to notify you of my intention to step down from my role as the parliamentary under secretary of state in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, so that I am able to care for, and spend some precious time with my family in the coming months.
"It has been an immense privilege to serve in your government under three different departments - in my current role as rough sleeping and housing minister, and previously as the small business minister in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and as maritime, aviation and security minister in the Department for Transport."