Two Further Unauthorised Meetings Between Patel And Israeli Officials Emerge

Two Further Unauthorised Meetings Between Patel And Israeli Officials Emerge
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Priti Patel had two further unauthorised meetings with Israeli political figures which she did not reveal while apologising on Monday for undisclosed talks held during a “family holiday” in the country.

The fresh revelation is likely to pile extra pressure on Theresa May to sack the International Development Secretary as it follows her mea culpa about 12 undisclosed meetings in Israel, including with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It is understood Ms Patel met Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan in Parliament on September 7, and foreign ministry official Yuval Rotem in New York on September 18, following the August meetings in Israel.

It is understood that Downing Street was told about the New York breakfast with Mr Rotem when Ms Patel revealed the details of her trip to Israel, but only learnt on Tuesday about the meeting in Parliament with Mr Erdan.

No British officials were present and like her meetings in Israel, she did not report them to the Foreign Office or Government in the usual way.

She was accompanied at all the meetings bar one in Israel by honorary president of the Conservative Friends for Israel lobbying group Lord Polak.