Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Responsibilities
The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the Northern Ireland Office, advances UK government interests in Northern Ireland and represents Northern Ireland interests in the Cabinet.
The Secretary of State leads on:
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Political stability and relations with the Northern Ireland Executive
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National security and counter-terrorism
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Implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, including legacy of the past
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Representing Northern Ireland in the Cabinet on EU exit, including new economic opportunities
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International interest in Northern Ireland, including relations with the Irish government
Current role holder
The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP
Chris Heaton-Harris was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 6 September 2022.
He was previously Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip) from 8 February 2022 to 6 September 2022.
He was Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office from 19 December 2021 to 8 February 2022.
He was previously appointed Minister of State at the Department for Transport on 25 July 2019. He was previously a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union from July 2018 to April 2019.
Previously he was Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip) from 9 January 2018 to 9 July 2018. Chris was previously Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip) from June 2017 to January 2018.
He was made an Assistant Government Whip in July 2016. He was elected Conservative MP for Daventry in May 2010.
Previous holders of this role
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Shailesh Vara MP
2022 to 2022
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The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE MP
2020 to 2022
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The Rt Hon Julian Smith MP
2019 to 2020
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The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP
2018 to 2019
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The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP
2016 to 2018
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The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP
2012 to 2016
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The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP
2010 to 2012