Conservative MP and former cabinet minister James Brokenshire dies aged 53

Conservative MP and former cabinet minister James Brokenshire has died at the age of 53, his family has said.

The MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup announced in August that his lung cancer had “progressed” and that he would be beginning a new line of treatment.

Mr Brokenshire stepped down as security minister in July this year after admitting his cancer recovery was taking “longer than expected”.

He had his right lung removed as part of his treatment in February this year and had said stepping down from his Home Office ministerial role would allow him to focus on his health.

In a statement, Mr 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.”

Mr Brokenshire was first elected to Parliament in 2005 and also served as housing secretary under former PM Theresa May.

The father of three was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018 after he coughed up a spot of blood during an event at Hillsborough Castle as Northern Ireland Secretary.

He subsequently stepped down from his Cabinet role to undergo treatment.

After getting the all clear, he was appointed by Boris Johnson to the Home Office in February 2020.

However, the MP stepped back from his government role in January 2021 after discovering his lung cancer had returned.