The Conversation (0)
Kate Plummer
Oct 08, 2021
People are paying tribute to Conservative MP James Brokenshire after his death at the age of 53.
The former minister and Old Bexley and Sidcup MP was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018. He took leave from his ministerial duties in the Home Office earlier this year after reporting a recurrence of a tumour on his right lung.
In a statement, Brokenshire’s family said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of James Brokenshire MP at the age of 53.
“James died peacefully at Darent Valley Hospital yesterday evening with family members by his bedside. He had been in hospital since Sunday after his condition rapidly deteriorated.
“James was not only a brilliant Government minister as both Security and Immigration Minister at the Home Office and Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office and Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government, but a dedicated constituency MP, first for Hornchurch from 2005 to 2010, and then for Old Bexley & Sidcup for the past 11 years.
“But most importantly, he was a loving father to his three children, a devoted husband to Cathy and a faithful friend to so many.
“We would like to thank all the NHS staff, particularly those at Guy’s & St Thomas’ in London, who cared for James with such warmth, diligence and professionalism over the past three-and-a-half years.
“We would also ask that our privacy as a family is respected at this time.”
Chair of the Old Bexley and Sidcup Conservative Association, Evelyn Morrison, who worked with Brokenshire for 12 years, said: “I’m very devastated. A wonderful, wonderful MP. Lots of integrity. He worked so closely with us.”
Meanwhile, journalists, public figures and MPs from across the chamber posted messages on Twitter, honouring Brokenshire:
James Brokenshire was quite simply the nicest man in politics. A true gentlemen. We will all miss him hugely. My… https://t.co/em19QDMWvO— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP) 1633690141
The news that James Brokenshire has passed away is utterly heartbreaking. A gentle, kind man with three young chil… https://t.co/173l94WJKc— Nadine Dorries (@Nadine Dorries) 1633690245
My heart goes out to James Brokenshire’s family and friends. It feels desperately unfair that someone who has given… https://t.co/XHhPPAprLp— Wes Streeting MP (@Wes Streeting MP) 1633690457
Desperately sad to hear the news about James Brokenshire. James was the nicest, kindest and most unassuming of pol… https://t.co/my3K2wrnej— Boris Johnson (@Boris Johnson) 1633690552
Devastated to hear the heartbreaking news that James Brokenshire has died, well before his time. He was a hard work… https://t.co/0lqjQMvrSC— David Cameron (@David Cameron) 1633690629
Such a terrible loss, taken too soon. James Brokenshire was a wonderful friend and colleague - one of the nicest, m… https://t.co/WezFpSU038— Matt Hancock (@Matt Hancock) 1633690241
Sending my deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of James Brokenshire. He has been taken far t… https://t.co/nmzN1uw925— Angela Rayner (@Angela Rayner) 1633689672
James Brokenshire was an extremely capable and dedicated public servant who will be sorely missed. My thoughts ar… https://t.co/FMjDhagWtA— Nadhim Zahawi (@Nadhim Zahawi) 1633689816
Very sad news indeed https://t.co/QPy9ESEOtI— Kay Burley (@Kay Burley) 1633689618
Really sad news about the death of James Brokenshire. He was a very good minister, but more importantly a really de… https://t.co/FSOGJizG80— David Davis (@David Davis) 1633689753
James Brokenshire was a thoroughly decent man, dedicated and effective in all briefs he held. He fought his illness… https://t.co/onZNHi912m— Keir Starmer (@Keir Starmer) 1633689803
Incredibly sad to hear this news. An immensely kind and generous man, James was admired by all who had the privileg… https://t.co/L8BQtdC0xL— Brandon Lewis (@Brandon Lewis) 1633689721
Sad to learn James Brokenshire has died. He had been battling illness for a few years since his role as Sec of Stat… https://t.co/VuHZ5l4tND— Chris Hazzard (@Chris Hazzard) 1633689569
This is heartbreaking news. James Brokenshire was, quite simply, one of the good guys. My condolences to his family… https://t.co/KU1hoxvWoz— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@Julia Hartley-Brewer) 1633689738
I am broken-hearted about the death of my friend of 25 years, James Brokenshire. We had all hoped that he would rec… https://t.co/y1tGnPvDcY— Dame Eleanor Laing MP (@Dame Eleanor Laing MP) 1633689788
James was a warm, courteous, unassuming man who always made time to say hello and ask how things were. There’ll be… https://t.co/SIH08mTuPF— Chris Mason (@Chris Mason) 1633689835
Brokenshire was first elected to Parliament in 2005 and has served as both housing secretary and Northern Ireland secretary as well as securities minister in the Home Office
Since his diagnosis, Brokenshire had worked to promote greater awareness of lung cancer.