Blow for Theresa May as James Brokenshire forced to quit Cabinet for health reasons
2 min read
James Brokenshire has dramatically quit as Northern Ireland Secretary for health reasons.
The announcement came as Theresa May began her eagerly-anticipated New Year reshuffle.
In a letter to the Prime Minister Mr Brokenshire revealed that he requires surgery for a lung condition.
He wrote: “In the last few days I have been told that I have small lesion in my right lung which needs to be removed.”
Speaking in the wake of the decision, Mr Brokenshire told reporters: "My intent is to get on with surgery. Get on with recovery and get back to my duties as MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup and also back to frontline political duties as well.
"But I will need time and space to focus on the surgery and recovery from it and therefore that’s where my focus and efforts must be in the short-term."
The shock announcement comes at a time of political turmoil in Northern Ireland, where power-sharing between Sinn Fein and the DUP collapsed a year ago.
Mr Brokenshire, who has worked to try to end the stalemate, said: "My earnest wish for everyone in Northern Ireland is to see devolved government restored as quickly as possible.
"The parties in Northern Ireland have got over bigger issues in the past and I think there is a duty and a responsibility in them now to get back into an executive, back into devolved government and get on with serving the people of Northern Ireland
The departure is another major headache for Mrs May, who had no plans to remove Mr Brokenshire from his post.
She will now have to find a replacement at a time when she is already carrying out a major re-shaping of her top team.
Around half a dozen Cabinet ministers are expected to be either sacked or demoted.
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