Julian Smith sacked as Northern Ireland secretary weeks after Stormont assembly restored

Dismissal sparks alarm on both sides of Irish border as prime minister reshapes government after Brexit

Julian Smith has been sacked as Northern Ireland secretary in Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit reshuffle in a move that triggered alarm on both sides of the Irish border.

Mr Smith was the first casualty of the cabinet shake-up only weeks after he brokered a return to power-sharing in Northern Ireland following three years without a devolved government.

His departure came at the start of a day of drama, which saw Sajid Javid sensationally quit as chancellor after Mr Johnson ordered him to fire his closest aides.

The prime minister summoned unlucky ministers to his parliamentary office early on Thursday morning to learn their fates, before moving on to Downing Street to appoint new ministers.

Mr Smith was the highest-profile victim of the cull, which saw the departures of business secretary Andrea Leadsom, Theresa Villiers, the environment secretary, and Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general.

His shock departure sparked dismay from taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who described him as “one of Britain’s finest politicians of our time”, while Arlene Foster, the Northern Ireland first minister, praised his “dedication” to the role.

Mr Varadkar said: “In eight months as secretary of state, Julian you helped to restore power-sharing in Stormont, secured an agreement with us to avoid a hard border, plus marriage equality.

“You are one of Britain’s finest politicians of our time.”

Simon Coveney, the Irish deputy prime minister, also tweeted: “You have been such an effective SOS [secretary of state] for NI at a time of real challenge and risk.

“Without your leadership I don’t believe NI would have a govt today. Thank you Julian Smith for your trust, friendship and courage; UK and Ireland can look to future with more confidence because of it.”

Ms Foster, the DUP leader, said: “Spoke with Julian Smith a short time ago to thank him for his help in getting devolution restored.

“We may not have always agreed (we did sometimes) but his dedication to the role was incredible. Best wishes to him and his family. Always welcome in Fermanagh.”

In a tweet, Mr Smith said: “Serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege. I am extremely grateful to Boris Johnson for giving me the chance to serve this amazing part of our country.

“The warmth and support from people across Northern Ireland has been incredible. Thank you so much.”

Mr Smith was elected to parliament in 2010 and served as Theresa May’s enforcer as chief whip during the arduous and unsuccessful struggle to get her Brexit deal through parliament.

During his time as chief whip from 2017-19, the government suffered a historic record-breaking defeat of 230 votes on Brexit, followed by two further crushing losses in “meaningful votes” on Ms May’s plans.

He was accused of ordering Conservative MPs to break “pairing” arrangements with absent opposition members to boost numbers, but insisted that any breaches of the rules were accidental.

He replaced Karen Bradley as Northern Ireland secretary in Mr Johnson’s first reshuffle in July last year and went on to strike a deal with Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney on 9 January which led to the restoration of the devolved executive and assembly after three years.

Reports suggested that Mr Johnson felt “blindsided” by the deal, which included an investigation into alleged crimes by British soldiers during the Troubles.

Also sacked was Esther McVey, who attended cabinet as housing minister but was not a cabinet member.

Universities minister Chris Skidmore also lost his job in the reshuffle, declaring that he had “got a promotion to be a better Dad” and spend more time with his young child.

Mr Johnson kept a number of ministers in the same roles, including home secretary Priti Patel, foreign secretary Dominic Raab, and Michael Gove as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Justice secretary Robert Buckland, international trade secretary Liz Truss, transport secretary Grant Shapps and health secretary Matt Hancock were all confirmed in their existing roles.

Security minister Brandon Lewis took on the Northern Ireland brief, while Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become business secretary, taking on ministerial responsibility for the key COP26 climate summit.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan was promoted to cabinet to become international development secretary and Brexiteer Suella Braverman returns to the government as attorney general.

Ex-paymaster general Oliver Dowden has become culture secretary and George Eustice was promoted to be environment secretary.

Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt returned to government as paymaster general seven months after being sacked by Mr Johnson on his arrival in office.

And deputy chief whip Amanda Milling was promoted to cabinet as minister without portfolio and Conservative party chair, leaving the number of female full cabinet members down one at six.

Other ministers remaining in their posts include work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey, education secretary Gavin Williamson, housing secretary Robert Jenrick and Lords leader Baroness Evans.