Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP

Biography

Chris Heaton-Harris was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 6 September 2022.

He was previously Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip) from 8 February 2022 to 6 September 2022.

He was Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office from 19 December 2021 to 8 February 2022.

He was previously appointed Minister of State at the Department for Transport on 25 July 2019. He was previously a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union from July 2018 to April 2019.

Previously he was Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip) from 9 January 2018 to 9 July 2018. Chris was previously Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip) from June 2017 to January 2018.

He was made an Assistant Government Whip in July 2016. He was elected Conservative MP for Daventry in May 2010.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the Northern Ireland Office, advances UK government interests in Northern Ireland and represents Northern Ireland interests in the Cabinet.

The Secretary of State leads on:

  • Political stability and relations with the Northern Ireland Executive

  • National security and counter-terrorism

  • Implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, including legacy of the past

  • Representing Northern Ireland in the Cabinet on EU exit, including new economic opportunities

  • International interest in Northern Ireland, including relations with the Irish government

More about this role

Northern Ireland Office