Attorney General Suella Braverman is seen outside 10 Downing Street today (23 February.)

British MPs had voted to give ministers formal paid maternity leave for the first time on 11 February. According to The Guardian the move hailed as an “important and long overdue change” as the government pledged to bring forward more sweeping maternity protections before the summer recess.

The move reportedly aimed to give Suella Braverman, six months’ paid leave drew accusations of double standards during the parliamentary debate, including over the omission of any reference to paternity leave and the failure to extend similar benefits to backbenchers.

According to the old rule the Attorney General would have to resign to go on maternity leave.