Fleur Anderson has been sacked as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s reshuffle.
She has been replaced by Matthew Patrick, the Labour MP for Wirral West, who was first elected to Parliament in last year’s general election.
He had served as a councillor from 2013 until 2018, when he worked in financial regulation in London. In November 2024, he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in the Culture, Media and Sport, and Science, Innovation and Technology departments in Westminster.
In a post on X, he said: “Honoured to have been appointed to this role to support the important work of Hilary Benn in helping deliver a stable and prosperous Northern Ireland. Looking forward to getting started.”
“I know how much Fleur Anderson has put into the role and pay tribute to all she has done,” he added.
‘NI holds a very special place in my heart‘
Fleur Anderson joined the Northern Ireland Office after Labour’s election victory last year, serving as the junior-level minister, with Hilary Benn as Secretary of State.
Keir Starmer seems to have dropped the mid-level position in the Northern Ireland Office (and the Wales and Scotland Offices too) – the Minister of State role – instead only appointing a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
In a statement posted on X, Anderson said she is “disappointed to be leaving this role”.
It has been an honour to serve in this government.
— Fleur Anderson MP (@PutneyFleur) September 7, 2025
I will continue to champion the people of Putney, Southfields, Roehampton and Wandsworth Town and the issues that matter most to us. pic.twitter.com/l0N0n4roLB
“I am sincerely grateful to Hilary Benn for his unwavering support and leadership throughout my time in office. His wisdom and guidance have been invaluable, and I have learned so much from our collaboration,” her statement said.
“Together, we have achieved a meaningful reset in relations and fostered change not only within Northern Ireland but across the UK. I am proud of our collective efforts to address the legacy of the past and to seek justice for families and victims.”
Former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said on X: “Issues with the current Labour Government aside, thank you for being so visible in NI, and being so accessible during your time as Minister.”
