James Brokenshire appointed as security minister

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James Brokenshire has been appointed as the Government’s minister for security and counter-terrorism, following the resignation of Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones.

Neville-Jones, who was one of the driving forces behind initiatives such as the Cyber Security Challenge UK, resigned this week and was appointed as a “special representative to business on cyber security.”

Brokenshire was previously in charge of crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction in the Home Office. His role will now be filled by Baroness Angela Browning.

The 43-year-old came into office in the 2005 general election in the constituency of Hornchurch. He will now take responsibility for cyber crime operations in Government, amongst other duties.

“Maintaining public safety and security remains my top priority and I will continue to take the lead for the department in ensuring the UK's national security and counter-terrorism strategy responds to the evolving terrorist threat,” said Home Secretary Theresa May.

“To support me in this important work I am pleased to announce that James Brokenshire will be taking on the role of parliamentary under secretary for crime and security.”

At the start of the year, Neville-Jones told Prime Minister David Cameron she wished to leave her post around the time of the local elections, letters between the two revealed.

However, her year in the position had its difficulties. Neville-Jones reportedly had tense relationships with other Government officials, including Home Secretary Theresa May.

There were moments seen as embarrassing, too. On one occasion, she appeared to have forgotten the name of a Home Office official advising her.

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