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Brandon Lewis. NI Secretary of State. Photo credit: PA

Ex-NI Secretary claims Sunak ‘resisted’ protocol legislation as he endorses Liz Truss

Former Secretary of State for NI Brandon Lewis has given his backing to Liz Truss in the Conservative leadership race as he accused Rishi Sunak of being weak in his dealings with the EU.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shailesh Vara. (Pic: Brian Lawless/PA)

NI Secretary Shailesh Vara backs Rishi Sunak in leadership race

The Northern Ireland Secretary Shailesh Vara has officially given his backing to Rishi Sunak to become the next Conservative leader.

Former NI Secretary Brandon Lewis chaired Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi's campaign for PM

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis commends Nadhim Zahawi’s run for PM as he loses out in vote

Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis has praised Nadhim Zahawi’s run for Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister, after the Chancellor of the Exchequer was knocked out of the running for the top job.

Annual 12th July parade through Newry city, Co Down, this morning. (Credit: PACEMAKER BELFAST)

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Sam McBride Opinion Top Orangemen vow to defeat NI Protocol as they denounce PM, Taoiseach and US President

The Orange Order’s two most senior figures have delivered hardline anti-protocol speeches from Twelfth platforms, backing the DUP in staying out of Stormont until “a clear irreversible process that rids us of this treacherous protocol”.

Former NI Secretary Brandon Lewis, who resigned from the role last week, has endorsed Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi for PM

Former NI Secretary Brandon Lewis chooses a candidate to back in Conservative leadership contest

Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, who resigned from his position last week, has endorsed current Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi’s bid to become the new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.

Shailesh Vara, the new Northern Ireland secretary. (Photo by Leon Neal-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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Suzanne Breen Opinion Shailesh Vara’s CV doesn’t suggest he is in the mould of the impressive Julian Smith

The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland doesn’t have big boots to fill. Brandon Lewis is most definitely not a hard act to follow.

Shailesh Vara, the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Credit: UK Parliament/PA Wire)

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Andrew Madden Opinion What will be on the new Northern Ireland Secretary’s in-tray?

It has long been known as the short straw of Cabinet appointments — and even a punishment to some of those chosen for the position — but the role of Northern Ireland Secretary is nothing if not eventful.

Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill

Northern Ireland politicians react to Boris Johnson's resignation

The leader of the DUP has warned the next Prime Minister that the face significant challenges including getting rid of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is comforted by his wife Carrie and their children after delivering his statement in Downing Street resigning as the leader of the Conservative Party. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to remain as caretaker – new Northern Ireland Secretary holds talks with Stormont parties

Boris Johnson has announced his resignation as Prime Minister but said he plans to remain as a caretaker until the next party leader is selected.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and Steve Barclay leaves Downing Street, London, to update MPs in the House of Commons with the latest developments regarding Ukraine. Picture date: Tuesday February 22, 2022.

Boris Johnson: Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis in Downing Street to discuss Prime Minister’s future

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis arrived at Number 10 Downing Street on Wednesday evening as he was pictured walking through the famous door.

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Suzanne Breen Opinion Stormont deadlock – Why a quick return to the polls is very unlikely

Just two months after Northern Ireland went to the polls, speculation is rife that the DUP is intent on another Assembly election.

DUP’s Gregory Campbell: ‘Stable foundation for devolution more important than threat to MLA salaries’

The DUP’s Gregory Campbell has said that “a stable foundation for devolution was more important than a ‘threat’ to Assembly salaries”, following continued threats from the Northern Ireland Secretary to cut MLAs’ pay.

Brandon Lewis: Northern Ireland Protocol Bill was not delayed to put pressure on DUP

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has rejected claims legislation around the protocol was delayed in order to put pressure on the DUP to return to Stormont.

The Integrated Education Fund has launched plans to have 100 integrated schools by 2025

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Mark Bain Opinion It’s a tall order, but the desire is there from those seeking to increase number of integrated schools in Northern Ireland

By the start of September, the number of integrated schools here will have risen to 70.

Second reading of Northern Ireland Protocol Bill ‘highly likely’ on Monday

Legislation around the Northern Ireland Protocol will hit the second stage of the parliamentary process on Monday, according to reports.

Brandon Lewis reveals weight and dyslexia meant he was ‘easy target’ for bullies as a teenager

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has revealed that he was bullied for his weight and dyslexia as a teenager because he was seen as an “easy target”.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis

MLAs still on full pay a month after Secretary of State’s threat

One month after Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis talked tough about docking MLAs’ pay if the Stormont Executive was not restored, the Assembly remains in limbo.

Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said he will contact UK Minister for Sport Nadine Dorries following a continued refusal to allow NI athletes to compete at 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo credit: Peter Morrison

Brandon Lewis to liaise with UK sport secretary after NI gymnasts again refused chance to compete at Commonwealth Games

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State is understood to be liaising with the UK Secretary for Sport in the upcoming days following a repeated decision to disallow NI gymnasts from competing in the Commonwealth Games.

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Suzanne Breen Opinion Docking MLAs’ pay is Brandon Lewis’ best bet for unruly DUP

Brandon Lewis needs to put his money where his mouth is. A month ago, he pledged that MLAs’ salaries could be swiftly cut if the DUP didn’t lift its block on nominating a Speaker and allow the Assembly to function.

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Presbyterian leader accuses Brandon Lewis of ‘dictating’ what is taught to NI schoolchildren

A Presbyterian Church leader has accused the Secretary of State of undermining devolution and school governance in Northern Ireland.

Geraldine Finucane, the widow of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane (Liam McBurney/PA)

Pat Finucane: Judgement reserved in challenge by murdered solicitor’s widow against decision not to hold public inquiry

Brandon Lewis cannot be held legally “culpable” for not establishing a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, the High Court has heard.

Pat Finucane: Challenge brought by murdered Belfast lawyer’s widow against decision not to hold public inquiry being heard by High Court

Only a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast lawyer Pat Finucane will uncover the full extent of a state-operated policy of “extrajudicial executions”, the High Court has heard.

Justice Minister Naomi Long. (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Naomi Long says it’s ‘hard to see’ how UK legislation can override NI Protocol despite ‘bullish’ Brandon Lewis legal claims

The Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long has said uncertainty remains over whether new legislation on the protocol can end the Stormont impasse.

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Youth in focus at off the record conference on unlocking Northern Ireland’s huge potential

Representatives from the public sector, think tanks, peace-building organisations, universities and youth groups are to join politicians for a major conference on Northern Ireland’s future, hosted by Secretary of State Brandon Lewis.

Brandon Lewis: Northern Ireland Protocol legislation will be ‘within international law’ and DUP should ‘deliver’ on pledge to return to Stormont

A move to unilaterally scrap parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol “will be within international law” and the government will set out their legal position, insists Brandon Lewis.

British prime minister Boris Johnson speaks after surviving an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him as party leader. Photo: PA

Boris Johnson won’t be able to survive much longer, warn NI MPs

Boris Johnson has been warned by two Northern Ireland MPs that his days as Prime Minister “are numbered” after he won a vote of confidence in his leadership.

History: The Queen symbolically leads the lighting of the principal Jubilee beacon at Windsor Castle on Thursday night. Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA

Platinum Jubilee: Beacons light the sky as Northern Ireland pays tribute to Queen

Special beacons have been lit in towns and cities across Northern Ireland to herald the first day of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations in honour of the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Banned: Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan. Credit: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Assembly unites to sign letter backing Commonwealth Games’ banned NI athletes’ nationality row

The power of sport to unify was demonstrated at Stormont on Monday as every MLA there signed a letter to back three Northern Irish gymnasts who have been banned from the Commonwealth Games.

Police watch Liverpool fans at Stade de France in Paris

Brandon Lewis concerned about ‘aggression’ towards Liverpool fans in Paris before Champions League final

Northern Ireland Secretary has expressed concern over French authorities heavy handed approach to Liverpool fans attending the Champions League final.

History maker: Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill will be the first nationalist to hold the role of First Minister. Credit: Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

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Jon Tonge Opinion It’s surely time to rip up the political rulebook

It is nearly a month since an Assembly election that resolved the sum of nothing. The Executive has been absent for nearly 40% of the time in over two decades of supposed existence. The Good Friday Agreement deserves a first-class honours award as a peace deal, but in terms of producing political stability, we are talking a lower second — and that could be grade inflation.