FORMER Cabinet minister James Brokenshire has died aged 53 after a battle with lung cancer, his family confirmed today.
The serving Tory MP and married father-of-three passed away in Darent Valley Hospital in Kent last night with his family by his bedside.
The ex-security minister was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and had been in hospital since Sunday after his condition “rapidly deteriorated”, the family statement said.
Colleagues across the political divide paid tribute to “the nicest man in politics”, who leaves behind wife Cathy and three children.
‘NICEST MAN IN POLITICS’
Boris Johnson said: “Desperately sad to hear the news about James Brokenshire. James was the nicest, kindest and most unassuming of politicians but also extraordinarily effective.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “James Brokenshire was quite simply the nicest man in politics. A true gentlemen.”
A statement from Brokenshire’s family hailed him a hard-working minister who also worked tirelessly for his constituents since 2010.
“But most importantly, he was a loving father to his three children, a devoted husband to Cathy and a faithful friend to so many,” it added.
His family thanked medics at London’s Guys and St Tomas’ hospital for treating him over the past few years.
The MP had shared an update with his followers in August revealing his cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2018, had spread.
He tweeted: “Regrettably my cancer has progressed. Am starting a new line of treatment this week & receiving great care from the team at Guys and St Thomas’ hospital.
“Unwelcome news but keeping upbeat.”
Brokenshire shared a picture of him and wife Cathy, who he said had been “amazing”, as well as their three children.
He had been discharged from hospital in February after a “frustrating resurgence” forced him to undergo surgery to remove his right lung.
The minister has been MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup since 2010.
A year later he was made Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Crime and Security under David Cameron’s government.
Brokenshire had a stint as Minister for Security and Immigration at the Home Office from 2014 to 2016.
The MP has also served in Cabinet as Housing Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary.
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