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Boris Johnson: Brandon Lewis resigns as Northern Ireland secretary | Boris Johnson: Brandon Lewis resigns as Northern Ireland secretary |
(32 minutes later) | |
Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020 | Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020 |
Brandon Lewis has resigned as Northern Ireland secretary as the crisis over Boris Johnson's leadership grows. | Brandon Lewis has resigned as Northern Ireland secretary as the crisis over Boris Johnson's leadership grows. |
Mr Lewis was among previously-loyal cabinet ministers who told the prime minister on Wednesday that he needed to step down from office due to a loss in support. | Mr Lewis was among previously-loyal cabinet ministers who told the prime minister on Wednesday that he needed to step down from office due to a loss in support. |
Mr Johnson is fighting to stay on as prime minister despite his support collapsing. | Mr Johnson is fighting to stay on as prime minister despite his support collapsing. |
He insists he has a "colossal mandate to keep going" from voters. | He insists he has a "colossal mandate to keep going" from voters. |
Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020. | Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020. |
He had faced criticism from political parties over his handling of the power-sharing crisis at Stormont and the Northern Ireland Protocol. | He had faced criticism from political parties over his handling of the power-sharing crisis at Stormont and the Northern Ireland Protocol. |
Resignations continue after Patel calls for PM to go | Resignations continue after Patel calls for PM to go |
Government resignations: Who has gone, who is staying? | Government resignations: Who has gone, who is staying? |
Mr Lewis tweeted on Thursday that a "decent and responsible" government relies on "honesty, integrity and mutual respect". | Mr Lewis tweeted on Thursday that a "decent and responsible" government relies on "honesty, integrity and mutual respect". |
He said it was a matter of profound personal regret that he "must leave" government as "I no longer believe those values are being upheld". | He said it was a matter of profound personal regret that he "must leave" government as "I no longer believe those values are being upheld". |
As the crisis for Boris Johnson was beginning on Tuesday, I was told by a source: "If he decides to soldier on, Brandon Lewis will be his trusted lieutenant." | As the crisis for Boris Johnson was beginning on Tuesday, I was told by a source: "If he decides to soldier on, Brandon Lewis will be his trusted lieutenant." |
But now even the long-standing lieutenant has gone, with Boris Johnson struggling to keep on top of the mass resignations. | But now even the long-standing lieutenant has gone, with Boris Johnson struggling to keep on top of the mass resignations. |
While the prime minister attempts to cling on, there's fresh uncertainty for Northern Ireland without a secretary of state. | While the prime minister attempts to cling on, there's fresh uncertainty for Northern Ireland without a secretary of state. |
With Brandon Lewis out, Northern Ireland will be on course (at some point) to get a fifth secretary of state in six years. | With Brandon Lewis out, Northern Ireland will be on course (at some point) to get a fifth secretary of state in six years. |
Their eventual in-tray will include dealing with the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation, the controversial Troubles legacy bill going through Parliament and restoring devolution at Stormont. | Their eventual in-tray will include dealing with the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation, the controversial Troubles legacy bill going through Parliament and restoring devolution at Stormont. |
But the crisis engulfing the Conservatives means it's likely those issues will slip down the next government's list of priorities. | But the crisis engulfing the Conservatives means it's likely those issues will slip down the next government's list of priorities. |
In his letter to the prime minister, Mr Lewis said a decision to leave government is "never taken lightly particularly at such a critical time for Northern Ireland". | In his letter to the prime minister, Mr Lewis said a decision to leave government is "never taken lightly particularly at such a critical time for Northern Ireland". |
He said he had "served loyally" and defended the government "both publicly and privately". | He said he had "served loyally" and defended the government "both publicly and privately". |
A decent and responsible Government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect - it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave Government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld.I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/EG6u52BdDc | A decent and responsible Government relies on honesty, integrity and mutual respect - it is a matter of profound personal regret that I must leave Government as I no longer believe those values are being upheld.I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/EG6u52BdDc |
"We are however, now past the point of no return. | "We are however, now past the point of no return. |
"I cannot sacrifice my personal integrity to defend things as they stand now. | "I cannot sacrifice my personal integrity to defend things as they stand now. |
"It is clear that our party, parliamentary colleagues, volunteers and the whole country deserve better." | "It is clear that our party, parliamentary colleagues, volunteers and the whole country deserve better." |
Mr Lewis became the latest cabinet minister to quit on Thursday, followed by Treasury minister Helen Whately. | Mr Lewis became the latest cabinet minister to quit on Thursday, followed by Treasury minister Helen Whately. |
The prime minister sacked Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove in a shock move on Wednesday, | The prime minister sacked Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove in a shock move on Wednesday, |
His sacking came after more than 40 ministers and aides resigned - a record for a 24-hour period. | His sacking came after more than 40 ministers and aides resigned - a record for a 24-hour period. |
Mr Johnson now has around 20 ministerial posts he needs to fill after the resignations. | Mr Johnson now has around 20 ministerial posts he needs to fill after the resignations. |
The issues facing Northern Ireland | |
The key issues filling the in-tray of the next Northern Ireland Secretary will include the Northern Ireland Protocol legislation, a controversial bill aimed at ending Troubles legacy prosecutions and the restoration of devolution at Stormont. | |
The UK government has faced strong criticism from the EU over its move to unilaterally override the Northern Ireland Protocol. | |
The protocol is part of the Brexit deal which was agreed by the prime minister in 2019 and subsequently ratified by Parliament. | |
However, the government says it is now causing too many practical and political difficulties. | |
The EU says the UK's move to change the deal is a breach of international law. | |
Government plans to override parts of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland passed their first hurdle in Parliament last month. | |
Controversial legislation aimed at ending Troubles legacy prosecutions has also passed its stages in the House of Commons, despite ongoing political opposition. | |
The bill offers a conditional amnesty to those accused of killings and other Troubles-related crimes. | |
It will proceed to the House of Lords in the autumn to face further scrutiny. | |
No MPs from Northern Ireland support the bill, which has also been criticised by groups representing victims and relatives. | |
The other crucial matter facing a new secretary of state is the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland. | |
Sinn Féin won the most seats in the May assembly election, but the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which came second, is refusing to re-enter a power-sharing executive until the party's concerns about the Northern Ireland Protocol have been addressed. |