Britain's Culture Secretary Maria Miller said today she was "devastated" by the furore over her expenses, as Prime Minister David Cameron faced increasing pressure to change course and sack her.
Breaking her silence after nearly a week of excoriating press attacks, Miller admitted she had let people down.
Her apology came after a fellow Conservative minister appeared to criticise Miller publicly and a prominent party backbencher said he was "surprised" she was still in her job, which includes overseeing a new system of press regulation.
More than 140,000 people signed an online petition calling for Miller to resign or pay back 45,000 pounds on expenses related to her mortgage -- the amount a parliamentary standards committee said she owed before lawmakers cut it to 5,800 pounds.
Miller agreed last week to pay back the reduced sum and made a terse 31-second apology to parliament for providing limited information to an inquiry into her claims.
Writing in her constituency's local newspaper, Miller admitted it had been a "difficult" time.
"I have unreservedly apologised for the way I handled and approached the inquiry," she wrote in the Basingstoke Gazette.
"I am devastated that this has happened, and that I have let you down.
"I have already apologised and repaid an over-claim of my expenses, having myself drawn the committee's attention to the matter immediately as I was aware of it."
Cameron has given strong public backing to Miller -- one of four women in the Cabinet -- insisting she has "done the right thing".
Miller's parliamentary aide has also sent round a text urging colleagues to speak up in her favour, accusing newspapers of a "witch-hunt" due to her role in shaping a new press regulation system.
