Fiona Woolf has quit as head of an inquiry into historical child sex abuse following criticism of her suitability for the role.
The City lawyer had come under increasing pressure to step down after victims' groups told Home Office officials they were "unanimous" in the view that she should go.
They had raised concerns over Mrs Woolf's social links with former home secretary Lord Brittan, who is likely to be called to give evidence to the inquiry.
Referring to the victims, Mrs Woolf said: "I was determined that the inquiry got to the bottom of the issues for them and if I don't command their confidence to run the panel fairly and impartially then I need to get out of the way."
The Lord Mayor of London said the possibility of her resignation had been "brewing for some time" since details of her contacts with Lord Brittan and his wife emerged.
She said: "Ever since the issues first arose, I've been worrying about the negative perceptions and there's been a lot of negative comment and innuendo and that has been getting in the way as well.
"But there were people saying, 'well, it really is difficult to find someone to do this job anyway, it's not a job that people relish taking on,' but I just felt it was so incredibly important because we seem to be admiring the problem rather than dealing with it."
Mrs Woolf is the second nominee for the post to resign, after Lady Butler-Sloss stepped down in July because her late brother, Lord Havers, was attorney general during the period when many of the alleged offences are said to have taken place.
Home Secretary Theresa May said she had accepted the resignation "with regret".
She said: "I believe she would have carried out her duties with integrity, impartiality and to the highest standard."
Mrs May said the panel would continue its work while a new chairman is appointed and she would make a statement to Parliament on Monday outlining the next steps in the process.
Home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz, who had summoned Mrs Woolf to face further questions from MPs next week, said she had made the "right decision" in light of the criticism from victims.
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