CHRIS BRYANT APPOINTED NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY

Sir Chris Bryant has been appointed secretary of state for Northern Ireland, following a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, replaces Hilary Benn in the role. This marks Bryant's first Cabinet position, although he has held shadow frontbench roles under Sir Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn. Benn said he wished Bryant "all the very best in working with the executive to protect stability, continuing to generate growth and investment and in taking forward the Troubles Bill" and pledged to support Burnham from the back benches.

Bryant joined the Labour Party in 1986 and has represented Rhondda and Ogmore since 2001. He previously served as deputy leader of the Commons during Gordon Brown's tenure and moved to his new post from the Department for Business and Trade. He is a former Anglican priest who left the church in 1991 over its position on homosexuality. In 2023, Bryant received a knighthood in recognition of his campaigning work on acquired brain injury and melanoma.

Benn had recently begun talks with Stormont parties and treasury officials to negotiate a multi-year budget following months of stalemate. Bryant will now inherit responsibility for completing this process. The Northern Ireland secretary role oversees relations between Westminster and the devolved administration at Stormont.