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14 July 2016

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Theresa Villiers ‘won’t be missed’ – Sinn Féin

● Villiers – resigned and replaced by James Brokenshire


THERESA VILLIERS – who resigned on Thursday from new British Prime Minister’s Theresa May’s Cabinet as Secretary of State for the North – “will not be missed”, Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd said.

James Brokenshire

She has been replaced by James Brokenshire (pictured), MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup, a lawyer who was appointed Minister for Security and Immigration in February 2014. In the EU referendum, he campaigned to “Remain” in the EU.

Villiers, who had been Secretary of State for the North since 2012, said she had been offered another position by the new Prime Minister but had turned it down.

Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd said Theresa Villiers had played a negative role in the political process in the North.

“I wish Theresa Villiers well personally but politically she will not be missed,” the Upper Bann Assembly member said.

“She has been the representative of a British Government which inflicted austerity, welfare cuts and now Brexit on the people of the North.

“She also played a negative role in dealing with the legacy of the conflict, continually placing obstacles in the path of families seeking access to truth.”

The Sinn Féin MLA said the position of Secretary of State should be abolished:

“The position of Secretary of State is unnecessary. It should be abolished and all remaining powers of the NIO transferred to the Assembly.”

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