James Brokenshire: South London MP dies of lung cancer aged 53

The Conservative MP represented Old Bexley and Sidcup, in south-east London, and before that Hornchuch.
James Brokenshire, a former cabinet minister, who was MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, and before that Hornchurch, has died aged 53. Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty ImagesJames Brokenshire, a former cabinet minister, who was MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, and before that Hornchurch, has died aged 53. Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
James Brokenshire, a former cabinet minister, who was MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, and before that Hornchurch, has died aged 53. Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Tory MP James Brokenshire - who represented Old Bexley and Sidcup - has died aged just 53 of lung cancer.

Before representing the south-east London constituency, Mr Brokenshire was an MP for Hornchurch in East London.

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The former Northern Ireland secretary was first diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago.

He reported a recurrence of a tumour on his right lung earlier this year.

It read: “James died peacefully at Darrant Valley Hospital yesterday evening with family members by his bedside.

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“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 and Local Government, but a dedicated constituency MP, first for Hornchurch from 2005 and 2010, and then for Old Bexley and Sidcup for the past 11 years.

James Brokenshire arriving at 10 Downing Street as Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary. Credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty ImagesJames Brokenshire arriving at 10 Downing Street as Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary. Credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images
James Brokenshire arriving at 10 Downing Street as Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary. Credit: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images

“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 and St Thomas’ in London, who cared for James with such warmth, diligence and professionalism over the past three-and-a-half years.

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“We would also ask that our privacy as a family is respected at this time.”

He said: “Desperately sad to hear the news about James Brokenshire.

“James was the nicest, kindest and most unassuming of politicians but also extraordinarily effective.

 James Brokenshire leaving 10 Downing Street in London on November 26, 2018, almost a year after his first diagnosis with lung cancer. Credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images James Brokenshire leaving 10 Downing Street in London on November 26, 2018, almost a year after his first diagnosis with lung cancer. Credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
James Brokenshire leaving 10 Downing Street in London on November 26, 2018, almost a year after his first diagnosis with lung cancer. Credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
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“He served with particular distinction in the Home Office and as Security Minister.

“If the government needed something done well and speedily - and sensibly explained - James was the man to do it.

“I worked with him for many years in London and I know how much he cared for the interests of his Bexley constituents.

“His fight against cancer was heroic, and it is a measure of his resolve that he came back from a first bout with the disease to serve in government again.

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“He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with Cathy and his family.”

Mr Brokenshire, a self-described Essex boy, was born in Southend-on-Sea, and went to school in Loughton and Cambridge.

He studied law at university, and worked for firm Jones Day before becoming an MP in 2005, beating the Labour incumbent in Hornchurch, Havering, by 480 votes.

James Brokenshire with wife Cathy in August. Credit: FacebookJames Brokenshire with wife Cathy in August. Credit: Facebook
James Brokenshire with wife Cathy in August. Credit: Facebook

After that seat was dissolved, he moved south of the river to become the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup.

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Under Theresa May’s Government he served as Northern Ireland secretary and Housing, Communities and Local Government secretary.

In December 2017, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, despite having never smoked.

He said he wanted to end the social stigma around the disease, about it being associated with smoking.

Mr Brokenshire’s last post before his death, was a message to his followers and constituents about his cancer in August.

He posted a photo of himself and wife Cathy on a walk in the countryside.

He said: “Cathy and the kids have been amazing and appreciate all the kind messages.”