Jacqui Smith’s resignation was leaked by Number 10 before she could tell Home Office staff she was leaving

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Rumours are spreading within the Party that Downing Street leaked the details of Jacqui Smith’s resignation without informing the Home Secretary of the timing of their disclosure, leading to widespread confusion across Number 10 and other government departments yesterday.

Smith had informed the Prime Minister two months ago of her intention to leave the cabinet at the time of the next reshuffle, but the information was apparently leaked to Sky News by Downing Street officials without the Home Secretary’s prior knowledge or consent.

Sky News seemingly learned of Ms Smith’s resignation from sources within Number 10 and reported the story at about 12:40pm yesterday afternoon. But after 1pm, the BBC said that other Downing Street sources were still denying Smith’s departure, calling the story “speculation.”

If this is right, there was either a severe lack of communication within Downing Street, or certain figures inside Number 10 are colluding against each other.

Last night, the Home Secretary was left in the embarrassing position of having to apologise to Home Office colleagues for not informing them of her decision to leave before it was released to the press.