Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire, who had been suffering from lung cancer, has died aged 53.

Fermanagh politicans who had worked alongside Mr. Brokenshire were among those posting tributes to him on social media.

Former First Minister and former Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster tweeted:

Mr. Brokenshire, the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, died on Thursday evening with his family at his bedside. He had been in hospital since last Sunday.

Mr. Brokenshire resigned as Security Minister in July after telling Prime Minister Boris Johnson that his recovery from lung cancer surgery in February was taking “longer than expected”.

In August, Mr. Brokenshire confirmed his lung cancer had “progressed” and he was starting a new line of treatment.

When his cancer progressed, he said he was “keeping upbeat” over his condition, but “needed space to focus on treatment”.

Former Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott, also tweeted his sympathy on the passing of Mr. Brokenshire: 

A family statement released today, Friday, October 8, said his condition had rapidly deteriorated. It read: “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 & Local Government, but a dedicated constituency MP, first for Hornchurch from 2005 to 2010, and then for Old Bexley and Sidcup for the past 11 years.

“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.”