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Boris Johnson: Brandon Lewis resigns as Northern Ireland secretary Boris Johnson: Shailesh Vara replaces Brandon Lewis as NI Secretary
(about 2 hours later)
Brandon Lewis became Northern Ireland Secretary in February 2020 Shailesh Vara was previously a minister in the Northern Ireland Office for five months
Brandon Lewis has resigned as Northern Ireland secretary over Boris Johnson's leadership. Shailesh Vara is to replace Brandon Lewis after he resigned as Northern Ireland secretary.
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.
It has since emerged that Mr Johnson will announce his resignation later. Mr Johnson announced his resignation on Thursday.
A new prime minister will be in place in time for the Tory party conference in October.A new prime minister will be in place in time for the Tory party conference in October.
A Conservative leadership contest will take place this summer, and in the meantime, Mr Johnson will continue as prime minister. A Conservative leadership contest will take place this summer, and in the meantime, Mr Johnson will continue as prime minister, he said.
Mr Vara was previously a minister in the Northern Ireland Office for five months before quitting in protest at former prime minister Therea May's proposed deal with the EU in November 2018.
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 goResignations continue after Patel calls for PM to go
Government resignations: Who has gone, who is staying?Government resignations: Who has gone, who is staying?
Stand-out moments and limited time for Lewis in NIStand-out moments and limited time for Lewis in NI
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/EG6u52BdDcA 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 was the first cabinet minister to quit on Thursday.Mr Lewis was the first cabinet minister to quit on Thursday.
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.
The wave of resignations from the government and Conservative Party exceeded 50 on Thursday morning.The wave of resignations from the government and Conservative Party exceeded 50 on Thursday morning.
Analysis: Big moments and limited time for LewisAnalysis: Big moments and limited time for Lewis
Brandon Lewis' stand-out quote came while he was on his feet in the House of Commons in 2020.Brandon Lewis' stand-out quote came while he was on his feet in the House of Commons in 2020.
Speaking to MPs about the government's plan to break international law in amending the Brexit deal with the EU, he said the plan was to do so in a "very specific and limited way".Speaking to MPs about the government's plan to break international law in amending the Brexit deal with the EU, he said the plan was to do so in a "very specific and limited way".
His legacy in Northern Ireland could be remembered in the same way.His legacy in Northern Ireland could be remembered in the same way.
Limited because he only spent two-and-a-half years in the job and much of that time focused on dealing with the pandemic.Limited because he only spent two-and-a-half years in the job and much of that time focused on dealing with the pandemic.
But there were specific stand-out moments, some of which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.But there were specific stand-out moments, some of which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Read more here.Read more here.
The issues facing Northern IrelandThe 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 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 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.