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Karen Bradley visits NI as secretary of state | Karen Bradley visits NI as secretary of state |
(35 minutes later) | |
Northern Ireland's new secretary of state has reiterated her desire to restore devolution as soon as possible during her first trip to Belfast. | Northern Ireland's new secretary of state has reiterated her desire to restore devolution as soon as possible during her first trip to Belfast. |
Karen Bradley, who has never been to Northern Ireland before, said she had spoken to all the main party leaders. | Karen Bradley, who has never been to Northern Ireland before, said she had spoken to all the main party leaders. |
Ms Bradley admitted there were many challenges ahead. | |
Sinn Féin said they would not be meeting Mrs Bradley but leader Michelle O'Neill would talk to her on the phone for the third time. | |
It is understood the first face-to-face meeting will take place next week. | |
Mrs Bradley is expected to meet the Democratic Unionist Party, Alliance, SDLP and Ulster Unionists on Wednesday. | |
"I have a very important job to do," she said. | "I have a very important job to do," she said. |
"My immediate challenge is to ensure that Northern Ireland has a devolved government in place to address the issues that affect everyone's lives - health, education and the economy." | "My immediate challenge is to ensure that Northern Ireland has a devolved government in place to address the issues that affect everyone's lives - health, education and the economy." |
"I am also conscious of the need to deliver a Brexit that works for Northern Ireland and to ensure that everyone is safe and secure". | "I am also conscious of the need to deliver a Brexit that works for Northern Ireland and to ensure that everyone is safe and secure". |
She added that it was fitting that her first visit to Northern Ireland was to the Titanic Quarter, as it represented NI's past and future. | She added that it was fitting that her first visit to Northern Ireland was to the Titanic Quarter, as it represented NI's past and future. |
"Once one of the world's leading industrial cities and now one of the world's largest waterfront regeneration schemes," she said. | "Once one of the world's leading industrial cities and now one of the world's largest waterfront regeneration schemes," she said. |
"I understand the importance of dealing with the past and securing a safe and prosperous future." | "I understand the importance of dealing with the past and securing a safe and prosperous future." |
Mrs Bradley also said her family was looking forward to getting to know this "amazing country". | |
'Over the pub' | 'Over the pub' |
Mrs Bradley previously held the role of culture secretary, until Prime Minister Theresa May reshuffled her cabinet on Monday. | Mrs Bradley previously held the role of culture secretary, until Prime Minister Theresa May reshuffled her cabinet on Monday. |
She replaced James Brokenshire, who quit his role as Northern Ireland secretary for health reasons. | She replaced James Brokenshire, who quit his role as Northern Ireland secretary for health reasons. |
Mr Brokenshire revealed that he requires surgery for a lesion on his lung, and intends to take a number of weeks off before returning to politics. | Mr Brokenshire revealed that he requires surgery for a lesion on his lung, and intends to take a number of weeks off before returning to politics. |
Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government since 9 January 2017, when Sinn Féin pulled the plug on its power-sharing coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). | Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government since 9 January 2017, when Sinn Féin pulled the plug on its power-sharing coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). |
'Over the pub' | 'Over the pub' |
Mrs Bradley is the Conservative MP for the English constituency of Staffordshire Moorlands and has little experience of Northern Ireland politics. | Mrs Bradley is the Conservative MP for the English constituency of Staffordshire Moorlands and has little experience of Northern Ireland politics. |
She was born in the Moorlands area 47 years ago and grew up "over the pub" in the nearby town of Buxton, where her family ran the Queen's Head Hotel. | She was born in the Moorlands area 47 years ago and grew up "over the pub" in the nearby town of Buxton, where her family ran the Queen's Head Hotel. |
Her website states this childhood experience gave her "a unique introduction to people from all walks of life". | Her website states this childhood experience gave her "a unique introduction to people from all walks of life". |
She was educated at her local comprehensive school and later studied for her maths degree at Imperial College, London. | She was educated at her local comprehensive school and later studied for her maths degree at Imperial College, London. |
Mrs Bradley then worked as an accountant and a tax adviser for almost 20 years, before entering politics. | Mrs Bradley then worked as an accountant and a tax adviser for almost 20 years, before entering politics. |
She was first elected as the MP for Staffordshire Moorlands in 2010 and successfully defended her seat in the 2015 and 2017 general elections. | She was first elected as the MP for Staffordshire Moorlands in 2010 and successfully defended her seat in the 2015 and 2017 general elections. |
She has held a number of government positions, including senior Whip at the Treasury. | She has held a number of government positions, including senior Whip at the Treasury. |
In February 2014, she replaced her friend and colleague Mr Brokenshire as a junior minister at the Home Office. | In February 2014, she replaced her friend and colleague Mr Brokenshire as a junior minister at the Home Office. |
Her website states that during this role she secured the passing of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, which it describes as a "landmark piece of legislation" that will protect people from enforced labour. | Her website states that during this role she secured the passing of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, which it describes as a "landmark piece of legislation" that will protect people from enforced labour. |
In July 2016, Mrs Bradley was appointed secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport. | In July 2016, Mrs Bradley was appointed secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport. |
Her tenure was dominated by her decision to refer Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox's takeover bid for Sky to the media and competition regulators. | Her tenure was dominated by her decision to refer Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox's takeover bid for Sky to the media and competition regulators. |