An MP has joined the Foreign Affairs Select Committee months after being forced to resign as International Development Secretary for holding secret meetings with Israeli ministers.

Priti Patel, MP for Witham, made the announcement earlier today after putting herself forward for the position.

The committee examines the work of Britain’s foreign policy and the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mrs Patel was forced to resign from her previous international role after holding 12 undisclosed meetings with Israeli politicians.

It later emerged she held a further two meetings, which she failed to disclose to the Prime Minister during their first meeting over the issue.

Mrs Patel said: “It is a great privilege to be elected by my colleagues to be a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

"The Committee has an important role in scrutiny and oversight of the Government’s approach to our Foreign Policy.

"I look forward to contributing to the Committee’s important work and using the experience I have gained through my previous roles in Government and outside of politics.”

At the time Mrs Patel defended herself by saying she had been on a family holiday, paid for by herself.

However, she later admitted her actions “fell below the standards of transparency and openness” during a resignation letter.