Karen Bradley

AFTER DICK Dastardly, Cruella de Vil and host of Tory MPs declined the job of secretary of state, Liz Truss eventually opted for Chris Heaton-Harris, an appointee who on paper looks like a DUP dream ticket – but then Boris Johnson was similarly lauded and we know how that ended.

MPs have reportedly expressed concern for ‘the safety and sovereignty of protections for UK citizens online’.

A CONSERVATIVE peer has conceded that he may have referred to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) as the "Sinn Féin Appeasement Department" when working as a senior adviser to secretaries of state in Belfast.

THE sacking of Julian Smith means his successor Brandon Lewis will become the sixth secretary of state in just 10 years.

THE UK Government will take steps over decision-making powers at the "earliest opportunity" if Stormont cannot be restored before an October 31 Brexit, MPs have heard.

TWO DUP MPs enjoyed free hospitality at last month's Formula 1 British Grand Prix, according to the latest Westminster register of interests.

JULIAN Smith is expected to meet Stormont's main parties today during his first visit to Northern Ireland since being appointed secretary of state.

THOSE who hoped for an A-list Tory to succeed Karen Bradley have been left disappointed.

Boris Johnson has wasted no time in stamping his mark, sweeping away Theresa May's loyalists and longstanding Tory stalwarts and filling his cabinet with hardline Brexiteers, including some who drove his predecessor from office.

IT’S said that you get the politicians you deserve and it could be argued that Karen Bradley was the most appropriate secretary of state for dysfunctional Northern Ireland, where we’ve failed to govern ourselves for the past two-and-a-half years.