Cabinet reshuffle: Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire resigns due to ill-health

Mr Brokenshire says he must prioritise 'long-term health' as he is due to undergo major lung surgery within weeks

James Brokenshire stands down as Northern Ireland Secretary following reports of ill health (PA)

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire has stood down from his post amid reports of ill health.

Mr Brokenshire - who has held the job since July 2016 - is preparing to undergo major surgery within the next few weeks to treat a lesion to his right lung.

His resignation came as Theresa May undertook a reshuffle of her top team in an effort to reassert her authority after losing her parliamentary majority in the general election.

A close ally of the Prime Minister, the Old Bexley and Sidcup MP had not been expected to go in Ms May’s first major reshuffle since she took office.

A source close to Mr Brokenshire told The Independent: “He has a small lesion on his right lung and is getting major surgery in the next couple of weeks.”

His time in Northern Ireland has been marked by the collapse of the power-sharing executive at Stormont​ and the row over the future of the Irish border after Brexit.

Northern Ireland has been without an Assembly since last year, when the fragile agreement collapsed over a political scandal on a botched green energy scheme.

In his resignation letter, Mr Brokenshire said: “Clearly my long term health and my family are my priorities and I intend to proceed with the surgery at the earlier opportunity.

“While the operation is expected to address the issue and I will get back to work relatively quickly, recovering from the surgery and regaining my strength will take several weeks.”

Pointing to the urgent need to kick-start stalled talks between Northern Irish political parties, the continuing Brexit negotiations, and his work on helping survivors of the Troubles, Mr Brokenshire said his surgery would prevent him from giving the “effort, energy and complete focus needed at this important time”.

The Prime Minister praised him for his “great diligence, determination and good humour”, saying it was “typical that your first thought was not for yourself, but for your duties as a cabinet minister and a public servant”.

In a hint that he may be in line for a return to Government once he has recovered after surgery, Ms May said Mr Brokenshire would have continued to do “a good job” had it not been for his illness, adding: “I very much look forward to working alongside you again when you are back to full health.”

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster sent her best wishes to Mr Brokenshire, who she said had thrown himself into the role, "dedicating long hours to trying to make progress".

She added: "James leaves the role with a very intimate knowledge of Northern Ireland and I look forward to working with him again in the future.”