Maria Miller has resigned as culture secretary, Downing Street has said, following a row over her expenses.

In a letter to the prime minister, she said the controversy "has become a distraction from the vital work this government is doing".

The PM said he hoped she would be able to return to cabinet "in due course".

Mrs Miller was cleared of funding a home for her parents at taxpayers' expense, but was told to repay £5,800 of the expenses she claimed.

The independent parliamentary commissioner for standards had previously recommended she repay £45,000.

(BBC)