Ministerial role

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Organisations: Northern Ireland Office
Current role holder: The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

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:

  • Political stability and relations with the Northern Ireland Executive

  • National security and counter-terrorism

  • Implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, including legacy of the past

  • Representing Northern Ireland in the Cabinet on EU exit, including new economic opportunities

  • International interest in Northern Ireland, including relations with the Irish government

Current role holder

The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

Hilary Benn was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 5 July 2024. He was elected as the MP for Leeds South in 1999.

More about this person

Previous holders of this role

  1. The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris

    2022 to 2024

  2. Shailesh Vara

    2022 to 2022

  3. The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE

    2020 to 2022

  4. The Rt Hon Julian Smith MP

    2019 to 2020

  5. The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP

    2018 to 2019

  6. The Rt Hon James Brokenshire

    2016 to 2018

  7. The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers

    2012 to 2016

  8. The Rt Hon Owen Paterson

    2010 to 2012