Former NI Secretary James Brokenshire dies aged 53

By Geraldine Scott, PA Political Correspondent

Former Government minister James Brokenshire, who had been suffering from lung cancer, has died aged 53.

Mr Brokenshire, the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, died on Thursday evening with his family at his bedside, and had been in hospital since Sunday.

In September, Mr Brokenshire confirmed his lung cancer had “progressed” and he was starting a new line of treatment.

A family statement said his condition had rapidly deteriorated.

A statement on behalf of the Brokenshire family on the death of James Brokenshire MP pic.twitter.com/sKknyCQ1Ow

— James Brokenshire (@JBrokenshire) October 8, 2021

The statement said: “James was not only a brilliant Government minister as both Security and Immigration Minister at the Home Office and Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office and Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government, but a dedicated constituency MP, first for Hornchurch from 2005 to 2010, and then for Old Bexley & Sidcup for the past 11 years.

“But most importantly, he was a loving father to his three children, a devoted husband to Cathy and a faithful friend to so many.

“We would like to thank all the NHS staff, particularly those at Guy’s & St Thomas’ in London, who cared for James with such warmth, diligence and professionalism over the past three-and-a-half years.”

Mr Brokenshire resigned as security minister in July after telling Boris Johnson that his recovery from lung cancer surgery in February was taking “longer than expected”.

James Brokenshire pictured in 2019 when he was Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government 

Boris Johnson has paid tribute to James Brokenshire as the “nicest, kindest and most unassuming of politicians”. 

Posting on twitter, the Prime Minister said he was “desperately sad” to hear the news.

“He served with particular distinction in the Home Office and as Security Minister. If the government needed something done well and speedily – and sensibly explained – James was the man to do it.

“I worked with him for many years in London and I know how much he cared for the interests of his Bexley constituents.

“His fight against cancer was heroic, and it is a measure of his resolve that he came back from a first bout with the disease to serve in government again. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with Cathy and his family.”

Desperately sad to hear the news about James Brokenshire.

James was the nicest, kindest and most unassuming of politicians but also extraordinarily effective.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 8, 2021

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “James Brokenshire was a thoroughly decent man, dedicated and effective in all briefs he held.

“He fought his illness with dignity and bravery. I’m incredibly sad to learn of his death and send my condolences to his wife and children.”

James Brokenshire was a thoroughly decent man, dedicated and effective in all briefs he held. He fought his illness with dignity and bravery. I’m incredibly sad to learn of his death and send my condolences to his wife and children.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 8, 2021