FORMER Tory Minister James Brokenshire has died aged 53 after a battle with lung cancer.
He had passed away on Thursday surrounded by his family after being admitted to hospital at the weekend.
Boris Johnson led tributes to his former Cabinet colleague, whom he described as “the nicest, kindest and most unassuming of politicians but also extraordinarily effective”.
The Old Bexley and Sidcup MP, who had never smoked, was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer in 2018 after discovering a small amount of blood in his tissue after coughing.
He confirmed in August that the cancer had progressed and he was starting a new line of treatment.
His family said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of James Brokenshire MP at the age of 53.
“James died peacefully at Darent Valley Hospital yesterday evening with family members by his bedside.
“James died peacefully at Darent Valley Hospital yesterday evening with family members by his bedside.
“He had been in hospital since Sunday after his condition rapidly deteriorated.
“James was not only a brilliant Government minister as both Security and Immigration Minister at the Home Office and Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office and Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government, but a dedicated constituency MP, first for Hornchurch from 2005 to 2010, and then for Old Bexley & Sidcup for the past 11 years.
“But most importantly, he was a loving father to his three children, a devoted husband to Cathy and a faithful friend to so many.”
Mr Brokenshire resigned as Northern Ireland Secretary in 2018 to have the upper lobe of his lung removed but he was back in Parliament five weeks later.
He returned to the Cabinet as Housing Secretary from April 2018 to July 2019.
Boris Johnson appointed him as Security Minister last year but he took a leave of absence in January 2021 to prepare for another cancer operation.
He resigned in July after struggling with his recovery.
– mirror.co.uk
