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UK’s Pak-origin minister Warsi quits over Gaza

London, August 5
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Britain’s first female Muslim Cabinet minister, today resigned from the David Cameron government saying the country’s stand on the Gaza conflict is “morally indefensible” and she can no longer support it.

The Pakistan-origin Minister of State at the Foreign Office announced her resignation on Twitter, publishing a copy of a letter she had sent Cameron giving the reasons for her decision. “With deep regret I have this morning written to the Prime Minister & tendered my resignation. I can no longer support Govt policy on #Gaza,” she wrote on Twitter. “Our approach and language during the current crisis in Gaza is morally indefensible, is not in Britain’s national interest and will have a long-term detrimental impact on our reputation internationally and domestically,” Warsi said.

While the British Government has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Cameron has come under criticism from political opponents for what they say has been his reluctance to condemn Israel’s actions in stronger terms.

Warsi (43), who was previously chairman of the Conservative Party, became the first female Muslim Cabinet minister when Cameron took over as Prime Minister in 2010. In a later reshuffle, she was demoted to the middle-ranking post in the Foreign Office. She also holds the charge of Faith and Communities portfolio.

In recent days, Warsi had used Twitter to ask for details of protests, and in one message wrote: “Can people stop trying to justify the killing of children. Whatever our politics, there can never be justification, surely only regret.”

She said the decision “has not been easy” but there is “great unease” within the Foreign Office over “the way recent decisions are being made”. Cameron, who is holidaying in Portugal with his family, in a statement said he regretted Warsi’s decision to step down and thanked her for her “excellent” work. — Agencies

UK Govt’s stand to hit its image globally

Our (UK Government’s) approach and language during the current crisis in Gaza is morally indefensible, is not in Britain’s national interest and will have a long-term detrimental impact on our reputation internationally and domestically.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi

Who is Baroness Warsi

Born in northern England to Pakistani immigrants, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi (43) studied law at Leeds University before setting up her own legal practice

She became Britain’s first female Muslim Cabinet minister in 2010, but was demoted to Minister of State at the Foreign Office as also Minister for Faith and Communities

In the Foreign Office, Warsi helped formulate government’s policy on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.