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25/07/2019
New NI Secretary Of State Confirmed
Julian Smith has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by new Prime Minister Boris Johnston.
The MP for Skipton and Ripon's appointment comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle, during which outgoing secretary Karen Bradley was sacked.
Mr Smith's CV also boasts the role of parliamentary secretary to the treasury and chief whip of government.
Political leaders in Northern Ireland have called on the new secretary to engage with local parties and prioritise the restoration of the Stormont Assembly.
Ulster Unionist Leader Robin Swann urged Mr Smith to waste no time in making decisions.
The north Antrim MLA said: "If there is no agreement to restore devolution then the pace of direct rule decision making should be ramped up. We cannot afford another number of months pussyfooting around the problems. Pressure must be applied to those who are preventing the restoration of devolution.
"I assure the new Secretary of State of the Ulster Unionist Party's full positive engagement in helping to restore devolution but we won't be offering a blank cheque for a return to the flawed administration of the past, blighted by scandal and disrespect."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy urged the new secretary to approach the role with a changed approached to that of his successor. He said: "The major problem within the Northern Ireland Office is the policy it implements rather than the personality that fronts it.
"If Julian Smith continues to follow flawed and failed policies then he will fail like the previous incumbent and the one before that.
"Unfortunately, Julian Smith doesn't exactly inspire confidence given that his only interest in the North to date seems to have been to attend the DUP conference."
Offering her congratulations in a post on Twitter, DUP Leader Arlene Foster called on Mr Smith to begin by tackling the political stalemate, which has been ongoing since Stormont collapsed in January 2017, and implement change for public services.
Recognising his enormous in-tray, Ms Foster said: "Important that talks can continue to restore devolution. Our schools & hospitals are crying out for key decisions to be made."
(JG/CM)
The MP for Skipton and Ripon's appointment comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle, during which outgoing secretary Karen Bradley was sacked.
Mr Smith's CV also boasts the role of parliamentary secretary to the treasury and chief whip of government.
Political leaders in Northern Ireland have called on the new secretary to engage with local parties and prioritise the restoration of the Stormont Assembly.
Ulster Unionist Leader Robin Swann urged Mr Smith to waste no time in making decisions.
The north Antrim MLA said: "If there is no agreement to restore devolution then the pace of direct rule decision making should be ramped up. We cannot afford another number of months pussyfooting around the problems. Pressure must be applied to those who are preventing the restoration of devolution.
"I assure the new Secretary of State of the Ulster Unionist Party's full positive engagement in helping to restore devolution but we won't be offering a blank cheque for a return to the flawed administration of the past, blighted by scandal and disrespect."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy urged the new secretary to approach the role with a changed approached to that of his successor. He said: "The major problem within the Northern Ireland Office is the policy it implements rather than the personality that fronts it.
"If Julian Smith continues to follow flawed and failed policies then he will fail like the previous incumbent and the one before that.
"Unfortunately, Julian Smith doesn't exactly inspire confidence given that his only interest in the North to date seems to have been to attend the DUP conference."
Offering her congratulations in a post on Twitter, DUP Leader Arlene Foster called on Mr Smith to begin by tackling the political stalemate, which has been ongoing since Stormont collapsed in January 2017, and implement change for public services.
Recognising his enormous in-tray, Ms Foster said: "Important that talks can continue to restore devolution. Our schools & hospitals are crying out for key decisions to be made."
(JG/CM)
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13 February 2020
PM Sacks NI Secretary Julian Smith
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Julian Smith has been sacked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A key figure in the restoration of power sharing, Mr Smith was widely perceived as a strong secretary. He lasted 204 days in the role after succeeding Karen Bradley in July 2019.
PM Sacks NI Secretary Julian Smith
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Julian Smith has been sacked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A key figure in the restoration of power sharing, Mr Smith was widely perceived as a strong secretary. He lasted 204 days in the role after succeeding Karen Bradley in July 2019.
26 July 2019
New NI Secretary To Hold Talks With Party Leaders
Northern Ireland's new Secretary of State Julian Smith will visit the region to hold talks with each of the five main political parties today. The MP for Yorkshire constituency Skipton and Ripon inherits the task of facilitating the Stormont talks process after Karen Bradley was sacked from her role on Wednesday by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
New NI Secretary To Hold Talks With Party Leaders
Northern Ireland's new Secretary of State Julian Smith will visit the region to hold talks with each of the five main political parties today. The MP for Yorkshire constituency Skipton and Ripon inherits the task of facilitating the Stormont talks process after Karen Bradley was sacked from her role on Wednesday by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
26 July 2019
Julian Smith Challenged Over 'Cosy' DUP Relationship
The newly appointed Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith MP has been challenged over his party's alleged "cosy relationship" with the Democratic Unionists. Handed his role by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the former chief whip of government had previous working relations with the DUP and attended the party's annual conference in 2017.
Julian Smith Challenged Over 'Cosy' DUP Relationship
The newly appointed Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith MP has been challenged over his party's alleged "cosy relationship" with the Democratic Unionists. Handed his role by new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the former chief whip of government had previous working relations with the DUP and attended the party's annual conference in 2017.
25 June 2001
SECRETARY OF STATE TAKES TOUGH STANCE
SECRETARY of State, Dr John Reid, has suspended the licence of prominent Shankill loyalist Gary Smith. Mr Smith, released in September 1999 under the Good Friday Agreement early release scheme, was arrested on Monday, was taken to Maghaberry Prison were fellow loyalist prisoner Johnny Adair is currently being held.
SECRETARY OF STATE TAKES TOUGH STANCE
SECRETARY of State, Dr John Reid, has suspended the licence of prominent Shankill loyalist Gary Smith. Mr Smith, released in September 1999 under the Good Friday Agreement early release scheme, was arrested on Monday, was taken to Maghaberry Prison were fellow loyalist prisoner Johnny Adair is currently being held.
29 January 2003
Tougher measures against sex crimes introduced
Tough new legislation against sex offenders - including measures against Internet 'grooming' - has been introduced in the Commons today. If passed, the legislation provides for tougher penalties, the grading of Internet 'grooming' as a criminal offence and a crackdown on the monitoring of registered paedophiles.
Tougher measures against sex crimes introduced
Tough new legislation against sex offenders - including measures against Internet 'grooming' - has been introduced in the Commons today. If passed, the legislation provides for tougher penalties, the grading of Internet 'grooming' as a criminal offence and a crackdown on the monitoring of registered paedophiles.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
