The British International Development Secretary, Clare Short, has resigned from the British government.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation over her future. It comes just days after the controversial Labour MP had missed a crucial House of Commons vote.
Ms Short had threatened to quit before the start of war with Iraq, describing Tony Blair as 'reckless' during the build-up to military action.
She telephoned the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, this morning to tell him she could no longer stay in his government.
In her resignation letter, she accused Mr Blair of breaching assurances he had given her on the role of the United Nations in governing post-conflict Iraq. 'As you know, I thought the run-up to the conflict in Iraq was mishandled, but I agreed to stay in the Government to help support the reconstruction effort for the people of Iraq,' she wrote.
She accused Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of secretly negotiating a UN Security Council resolution which contradicted assurances she had given in the Commons to MPs.
'I am sad and sorry that it has ended like this,' wrote Ms Short.
Downing Street has announced her replacement will be Baroness Amos.
