Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP

Contents

Biography

James Brokenshire was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 14 July 2016. He was elected the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup in 2010.

Education

James was educated at Davenant Foundation Grammar School, Loughton; Cambridge Centre for Sixth Form Studies; and the University of Exeter, where he studied law.

Career

James was MP for Hornchurch and Rainham from 2005 until the constituency was abolished in 2010. He has campaigned on issues such as crime, asylum and immigration and keeping healthcare facilities at his local hospital. From 2006 to 2010 he was Shadow Minister for Home Affairs.

James was Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Home Office from May 2010 until February 2014. He served as Minister for Immigration and Security at the Home Office from 2014 to 2015 and as Minister for Immigration from May 2015 until July 2016.

Career outside politics

Before entering Parliament he was a partner at a large international law firm where he advised a range of companies, businesses and financial institutions on company law, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions.

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

Previous roles in government

1. Minister of State for Immigration

   • 2015 to 2016

2. Minister of State for Immigration

   • 2014 to 2015

3. Minister of State

   • 2014 to 2015

4. Minister for Security

   • 2010 to 2014

Announcements

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1. Secretary of State's Speech to Top 100 Companies Banquet 2017

   • 14 September 2017
   • Speech

2. Secretary of State's speech to 2017 British Irish Association Conference

   • 8 September 2017
   • Speech

3. Secretary of State appoints new members to Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

   • 30 August 2017
   • Press release

4. Restoration of devolution a 'priority', says Secretary of State

   • 22 August 2017
   • Press release

5. Pledge to protect Belfast Agreement and Common Travel Area in new position paper

   • 16 August 2017
   • News story

6. Secretary of State urges Business Advisory Group to keep making their voices heard

   • 31 July 2017
   • Press release

7. Ciarán Maxwell sentencing

   • 31 July 2017
   • Press release

8. Secretary of State visits Washington and New York

   • 24 July 2017
   • Press release

9. Northern Ireland Finances

   • 19 July 2017
   • Press release

10. Foreign investors see opportunities in Northern Ireland

    • 6 July 2017
    • Press release

View all announcements