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Theresa Villiers to be replaced as Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers to be replaced as Northern Ireland secretary
(35 minutes later)
Theresa Villiers is to be replaced as Northern Ireland Secretary. Theresa Villiers is to be replaced as the government's Northern Ireland secretary.
The Conservative MP said she declined an offer of a role from the new prime minister.The Conservative MP said she declined an offer of a role from the new prime minister.
Theresa May has been appointing her first cabinet since taking over from David Cameron on Wednesday.Theresa May has been appointing her first cabinet since taking over from David Cameron on Wednesday.
Ms Villiers had held the Northern Ireland portfolio since 2012 and said she was "sad to bring to end my work" in the region.Ms Villiers had held the Northern Ireland portfolio since 2012 and said she was "sad to bring to end my work" in the region.
She added: "I believe that I leave the political situation there in a more stable position than it has been for many years.She added: "I believe that I leave the political situation there in a more stable position than it has been for many years.
"I was able to to help tackle the crisis, which a year ago left us on the brink of a collapse of devolution and a return to direct rule.""I was able to to help tackle the crisis, which a year ago left us on the brink of a collapse of devolution and a return to direct rule."
But she said she was "confident that progress will continue to embed peace, stability and prosperity" in Northern Ireland.But she said she was "confident that progress will continue to embed peace, stability and prosperity" in Northern Ireland.
"Northern Ireland and its people will always have a very special place in my heart," she said."Northern Ireland and its people will always have a very special place in my heart," she said.
"I send my very best wishes to Northern Ireland's leaders as they continue the crucial process of implementing the two historic agreements that the cross-party talks I chaired were able to deliver.""I send my very best wishes to Northern Ireland's leaders as they continue the crucial process of implementing the two historic agreements that the cross-party talks I chaired were able to deliver."
First Minister Arlene Foster said she "enjoyed working with" Mrs Villiers and wished her "all the best for the future".First Minister Arlene Foster said she "enjoyed working with" Mrs Villiers and wished her "all the best for the future".
But Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said Mrs Villiers "will be no loss".But Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said Mrs Villiers "will be no loss".
"All British Secretary of States (sic) should stay over there," she tweeted."All British Secretary of States (sic) should stay over there," she tweeted.
Ms Villiers confirmed her departure from the government in a post on Facebook.Ms Villiers confirmed her departure from the government in a post on Facebook.
She said Mrs May had been "kind enough to offer me a role" but added that it was "not one which I felt I could take on".She said Mrs May had been "kind enough to offer me a role" but added that it was "not one which I felt I could take on".
"I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve on the front bench for 11 years," she added."I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve on the front bench for 11 years," she added.