Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP

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:

  • national security and counter-terrorism
  • implementation of the Stormont House Agreement
  • the economy and inward investment
  • political stability and relations with the Northern Ireland Executive
  • international interest in Northern Ireland, including relations with the Irish government
  • human rights
  • dealing with the past
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

Get updates to this list email feed

Copy and paste this URL in to your feed reader

  1. Brokenshire welcomes end of Twaddell parading dispute

    • Press release

  2. City of Derry airport to gain UK government support for vital air link

    • News story

  3. UK-Ireland treaty brings end to paramilitarism a step closer

    • Press release

  4. Secretary of State's speech to 2016 British Irish Association Conference

    • Speech

  5. Secretary of State's speech to Washington Chamber of Commerce

    • Speech

  6. Secretary of State Brokenshire begins an intensive 2 day visit to US

    • News story

  7. Brokenshire attends Guillemont and Ginchy Commemorations in France

    • News story

  8. Brokenshire holds inaugural meeting of Northern Ireland Business Advisory Group

    • Press release

  9. Secretary of State embarks on NI August engagement programme

    • Press release

  10. Brokenshire expresses sadness at death of Bishop Edward Daly

    • News story
View all announcements