New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard has abruptly resigned as head of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom.
No reason was given for her resignation.
Dame Lowell, 67, was appointed in February 2015 to lead the inquiry following the resignation of two previous chairwomen.
Her resignation letter, which was posted to the home secretary 's website, contained just two lines.
"I regret to advise that I am offering you my resignation as Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, with immediate effect. I trust you will accept this decision," Dame Lowell wrote.
In her reply Home Secretary Amber Rudd acknowledged it would have been a difficult decision to make but it was the right one.
She thanked Dame Lowell for her work and commitment to the role.
"You have consistently demonstrated your desire to leave no stone unturned in order that the voices of the victims might be heard," Ms Rudd said.
"It is a testament to your commitment that you have taken the difficult decision to stand down now, having set the inquiry firmly on course, and allow someone else to lead it through to the end.
"With regret, I agree this is the right decision."
In a separate statement, Ms Rudd said: "I want to assure everyone with an interest in the inquiry, particularly victims and survivors, that the work of the inquiry will continue without delay and a new chair will be appointed."
The inquiry was set up in 2014 amid claims of an establishment cover-up following allegations that a pedophile ring operated in Westminster in the 1980s.
Dame Lowell's role has hit the headlines in the last few days when British media revealed she spent more 70 days of her first year in the job either outside the UK or on holiday.
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