DHAKA: The head of the US Secret Service, tasked with guarding US President Barack Obama, has resigned following several high-profile security lapses, BBC reports. 

Julia Pierson offered her resignation to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

A day earlier, she faced angry questions in Congress about a major breach of White House security.

News of another incident involving an armed man allowed in a lift with Obama compounded calls for her to go.

"Today Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it," Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson wrote in a statement.

"I salute her 30 years of distinguished service to the Secret Service and the Nation."

BDST: 1047 HRS, OCT 02, 2014