Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Brooke, who has died aged 89.
In his lifetime, he was chairman of the Conservative Party and served as Britain’s national heritage secretary in his lifetime.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that he was “sorry to hear” about Brooke’s passing.
“Peter played a pivotal role in the emerging Northern Ireland peace process, helping pave the way for an end to violence,” Martin said in a tweet.
“My condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”
Brooke had four sons from his first marriage, one of whom died before him.
Known as P to friends and family, he married Joan Margaret Smith in 1964. She died in 1985 following complications after a routine surgical procedure.
In 1991, he married Lindsay Allinson, a former constituency agent he met through the Conservative Party.
Brooke later became Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville – a title bestowed on him by former British prime minister John Major and then-Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
He left the Northern Ireland Office before Major’s peace initiative in 1993, but is remembered for his involvement in the early stages of the peace process.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of former Secretary of State for NI Peter Brooke.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 15, 2023
Peter played a pivotal role in the emerging Northern Ireland peace process, helping pave the way for an end to violence.
My condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
Brooke was born in Hampstead, London, on 3 March 1934. His father Henry Brooke was a former home secretary.
He was educated at Marlborough, Balliol, Oxford University (where he was president of the Union) and Harvard Business School.
Brooke later worked as Swiss correspondent of the Financial Times, a management consultant and as a director of a girls’ school in Switzerland, before joining Camden Borough Council in 1968.
He fought various seats, including Bedwellty against Neil Kinnock, before his election as MP for City of London and Westminster South in 1977.
Mr Brooke served as Northern Ireland secretary from 1989 to 1992.
He caused controversy while serving as the Northern Irish secretary when he sang My Darling Clementine on RTE’s The Late Late Show in January 1992.
It was in the immediate wake of the Co Tyrone massacre and seriously damaged relations with the unionist parties.
In his statement to the Commons the following Monday, Brooke told MPs although his actions were “innocent in intent” they were “patently an error”.
He announced, after apologising unreservedly for his appearance on the show, that he had placed his resignation at the prime minister’s disposal. However, Major voiced full confidence in Brooke after refusing his resignation.
He finally left the Government in the prime minister’s reshuffle in the summer of 1994, and in 2001 he stepped down from the Commons and was given a life peerage.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
but but but Poots took legal advice …… god save us
@Jim Buckley Barrett: Did you hear who he took that advice from? I’m not even kidding here, Jamie effing Bryson. The loyalist headbanger. .
@Pete Gilmartin: the Poundshop Lawyer, mar a deir Colum Eastwood. The absolute catastrophe that is the leadership of far-right Unionism, is like an elixer of youth for me today, its like drinking pure happiness. Can’t wait for this Assembly election now.
@Pete Gilmartin: Are you serious? Bryson hasn’t even passed the bar.
@Pete Gilmartin: Had to go and Google that… Seems you were kidding, Poots got his legal advice from John Larkin the former Attorney General in the North.
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Yep, but Bryson claimed in a radio interview he gave it. Anything to try to make himself relevant.
@Isa: That’s it, he’d say mass…
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: No Kidding – Bryson is claiming in todays Belfast Telegraph that he had been advising Poots and the DUP with all the legal implications of the Protocol for months.
Poots said yesterday that he also received legal opinion from John Larkin but didnt clarify what that opinion was and which opinion he eventually went on before acting. Mind you, I dont think the DUP was ever in the business of taking advice from anyone.
@Angela McCarthy: that’s a scurrilous remark ! DUP take advice from Doctor No.
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Bryson never passed a bar in his life, especially when Edwin in buying.
If this judicial review shows that Edwin Poots broke the law then he should suffer the consequences of his actions.
@Joe Johnson: while I agree in principle, he can say it was based on legal advice and legal advice often differs, even though what he was trying to do was a wrecking tactic, it’s probably not criminal. In any case, he hasn’t managed to be selected by his party to run in the now consequent election, so his punishment will be to live on in ignominy as one of the most incompetent politicians in the history of Ireland or Britain. And probably the World.
Playing bigoted politics to get what you what to the detriment of workers across the whole island should not be allowed happen, he somehow needs to be sanctioned
You couldn’t write what’s happening in the UK at present. Brexit is a disaster and will have long lasting negative ramifications. Throw in the DUP and Borris and the asylum starts rocking to ABBA….
There’s no one driving the red bus these days, they’re all partying down the back.
@Kevin Conway: I quote Professor Anton Muscatelli principal and vice chancellor at the University of Glasgow from 2018.
“the most unhinged example of national self-sabotage in living memory.”
I think the legal opinion that Poots received must have been given to him at an Orange Lodge, or in a pub.
@Angela McCarthy: The News Letter says he got it from John Larkin the former Attorney General in the North.
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Jamie Bryson is claiming credit for it on Twitter
@James Beattie: Forgive me for not believing Mr. Bryson.
Here it is for all unionist supporters to see, the UK government does care about Northern Ireland or even consider it as part of the union. Serious questions need to be asked by the people of NI, and in particular the six counties, if they see themselves as been part of the UK moving forward, with the likes of the DUP.
@Michael: I presume you meant to say – ” does not care” in which case I agree with you 100%
@David Abbott: yes.
@David Abbott: correct.
Well that’s embarrassing…
That’ll poots him in his place
Better call Saul…..
Pussin Poots
The Befast High Court did’nt give two hoots for Edwin Poots.
have your say