BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller has given a television interview to the BBC saying she takes “full responsibility for the situation” and that she is resigning because “this has become an enormous distraction”.

Speaking to the BBC she said: “This has been a really difficult 16 months because I was cleared of the central allegation made about me by a Labour Member of Parliament.

“I hoped that I could stay but it has become clear to me over the last few days that this has become an enormous distraction and it’s not right that I am distracting from the incredible achievements of this Government.

“I’ve been a member of the Conservative party for 30 years and I want to make sure that my position is not in any way detracting from the achievements of the Government.

“I think it’s important to say that I want to remove that distraction and to give the party the ability to be able to come together.

“I continue to support obviously my colleagues here in Parliament, the Government, my party and above all the Prime Minister.

“I take full responsibility for my decision to resign.

“I think it’s the right thing to do. I want to remove what has become really an unhelpful and a very difficult distraction for colleagues but also taking away from being able to talk about the achievements of the Government.

“I take full responsibility for the situation. I fully accept the findings in the Parliamentary Standards report- this is about that, and I think it’s important that at this time in resigning I take away this distraction from the work of the Government and I really do want to reiterate my full support for the PM.

“I’ve made it clear and apologised unreservedly to the House of Commons and made sure that it was clear to everybody that I took full responsibility for those findings.

“I want to make sure that the situation is clear to everybody and make sure that I can move on.”