The resignation took place in the aftermath of change of prime minister on 7 December 1916 when Lloyd George replaced HH Asquith as head of a new wartime coalition. Samuel was the brother of Herbert Samuel who had been a close associate and supporter of Asquith and who had been Home Secretary in Asquith's coalition. Herbert Samuel told Lloyd George that he could not serve in the new government and that he did not like the way it had come about.
Herbert Samuel
Lloyd George