Priti Patel says she has been 'overwhelmed with support' in first comments since being forced to resign

'Nothing is more humbling than the support I’ve received from my constituents' says the former International Development Secretary

Priti Patel spoke in public for the first time since she was effectively sacked by Theresa May (Getty)

Priti Patel has spoken out for the first time since she was forced to resign as Secretary of State for International Development.

The MP attended an Armistice Day service in her Essex constituency of Witham where she told reporters she had been “overwhelmed” with support since she was effectively sacked by Theresa May.

Ms Patel was summoned to Downing Street to explain herself after she admitted holding unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials – including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - while she was supposed to be on holiday.

She quit her post last week, admitting the meetings had “lacked transparency” and that she had failed to uphold the standards expected of her office.

It emerged the Brexiteer MP had asked officials in Israel to look into whether the UK could support humanitarian operations carried out by the Israeli army in the occupied Golan Heights territory.

Ms Patel did not answer questions put to her, but she told the BBC: “I’ve been overwhelmed with support from colleagues across the political divide.

“Of course, nothing is more humbling than the support I’ve received from my constituents.

“I look forward to returning to Parliament on Monday where I will continue to be a strong voice for Witham and Britain.”

Fellow Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt was appointed to take over Ms Patel’s role.