NI Secretary Hilary Benn sacked as PM Andy Burnham enters No 10 and sweeps aside key Starmer-era figures
Andy Burnham’s installation as Prime Minister has been greeted with caution by local political leaders – as the UK’s new leader sacked Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn.
The Labour leader used his first speech to promise to deliver the biggest change to British politics in 40 years.
There was a string of high profile sackings of key figures from the short-lived Starmer era – with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and justice secretary David Lammy no longer in the cabinet.
Hilary Benn announced his sacking in a social media post on Monday afternoon, but at the time of going to print there had yet to be any confirmation of his replacement.
Mr Burnham said the first instruction he will issue on entering No 10 is “to end rough sleeping in our country” – using his first speech as PM to say he wanted to “build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity”.
Locally, unionist leaders have questioned what a Burnham premiership will mean for the country, behind the slogans and soundbites. Gavin Robinson said the lack of a contest or debate about Labour’s future direction has left “serious questions” about what a Burnham premiership will mean in practice.
Jon Burrows said the Prime Minister “talks a good talk” – but that now is the time for delivery.
The new PM is expected to visit the province in the coming days, with Stormont leaders demanding more cash from the Treasury despite funding being at record levels.
Attorney General Lord Hermer was among those sacked within hours of Mr Burnham taking office. He had proven a controversial figure for unionist parties, with the DUP having previously called for him to recuse himself from government deliberations on legacy mechanisms.
Concerns had been raised about Lord Hermer’s involvement because of his past representation of Gerry Adams as a client.
Peter Kyle, a former NI spokesman for the party was removed as business secretary.
Steve Reed revealed he is no longer Housing Secretary, and said in a letter he is “disappointed to be leaving Government now”, after Andy Burnham entered Downing Street.
The Docklands Victims Association (DVA) who represent families of those killed and injured in IRA terror attacks on the mainland congratulated Mr Burnham.
Jonathan Ganesh from the group said: “I feel Andy will make an outstanding Prime Minister due to his genuine commitment to social justice. I found him to be very genuine and sincere as he always has time for those within society who had suffered terrible injustice. His humanity is above reproach”.