Chris Bryant appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary
Chris Bryant has been promoted to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He replaces Hilary Benn at the Northern Ireland Office.
July 20, 2026
Chris Bryant has been promoted to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He replaces Hilary Benn at the Northern Ireland Office.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, has been sacked by the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. He was appointed by Starmer after the general election in 2024.
Party leaders in Northern Ireland are reacting as Andy Burnham formally takes over as prime minister. Sir Keir Starmer was forced out of Downing Street by his own MPs after securing a landslide majority in 2024.
The Ulster Unionist Party has announced that it will appoint an ‘independent external organisation’ to allow people to share information about Jeffrey Donaldson’s time within the party.
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the new leader of Labour but he will not be prime minister until Monday, when Keir Starmer offers his resignation.
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly has launched a review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s behaviour whilst at Parliament Buildings, at the request of Speaker Edwin Poots.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has confirmed that child safeguarding expert Jim Gamble will lead a review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time within the party. Last month, Donaldson was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse against two women when they were children, including rape.
Sinn Féin continues to announce candidates for the 2027 Assembly election. Launch events have occurred in Newry and Armagh, East Londonderry, South Down, East Antrim and Upper Bann.
Sinn Féin are hoping to elect three MLAs in Foyle for the first time, standing three candidates next year. Ciara Ferguson, Christopher Jackson and Sandra Duffy will be on the ticket.
