Delhi, India

International Development Minister and former Conservative MP Lord Bates submitted his resignation after he got late to the chamber. 

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Bates was meant to be in the House of Lords chamber for the oral questions at 15:00 GMT.

He admitted that he was "thoroughly ashamed" for not being able to arrive on time and was, therefore, offering his resignation to the Prime Minister. 

"I wonder if you permit me to offer my sincere apologies to Baroness Lister for my discourtesy in not being in my place to answer her question on a very important matter," Lord Bates said shortly after arriving at his place.

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Bates was urged by his peers not to go saying that just an apology would have been sufficient. 

British Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected Bates' resignation calling it "unnecessary."

May's spokesperson lauded Bates as a hard-working and diligent minister "who takes his responsibilities to Parliament seriously". 

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(With inputs from ANI)