Sir Chris Bryant has been appointed to serve as the new Northern Ireland Secretary.
The Rhondda and Ogmore MP and former minister for trade and labour was announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a long-running process to appoint his Cabinet.
Sir Chris previously served as an Anglican priest before he was first elected to Parliament in 2001.
The announcement came just after 11pm on Monday after it emerged earlier that Hilary Benn would not be continuing in the role.
Mr Benn pledged to support Mr Burnham from the backbenches as he confirmed he would be leaving the position.
The Labour veteran had been serving in the region since he was appointed by former premier Sir Keir Starmer after their party came back into power in 2024.
Mr Benn was the first person from Labour in the role in 14 years, since the party lost the 2010 general election.
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee paid tribute to Mr Benn as having “brought warmth and a constructive approach to all of his relationships here in Ireland”.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson paid tribute to Mr Benn as an “honourable man”.
He told media in Belfast that while he had “difficulties” with Mr Benn’s position on the legacy of Northern Ireland’s troubled past, he recognised he had put “a lot of his time and effort” into trying to tackle that issue.
Later on Monday, Mr Benn announced he was leaving the role in a statement on social media platform X.
He described the “great privilege” to have served, and also pledged his support for Mr Burnham.
“It has been a great privilege to serve as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and to work with the many wonderful people I have met over the last 2 years,” he wrote.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)PA Wire“I wish my successor all the very best in working with the Executive to protect stability, continuing to generate growth and investment and in taking forward the Troubles Bill which is so important for so many families.
“The Prime Minister will have my full support from the backbenches.”
In a statement Ms McEntee thanked Mr Benn for his “deep commitment to Northern Ireland, and to the UK-Ireland relationship more broadly”.
“He approached his role with purpose and understanding, and with a clear wish to make things better for all the people of Northern Ireland,” she said.
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“That approach was what allowed both our governments to reach agreement last September on the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles, the first such comprehensive agreement on the issues in more than a decade.
“The framework puts victims, survivors and families at its heart.”
Ms McEntee added: “Hilary has brought warmth and a constructive approach to all of his relationships here in Ireland, and indeed in Northern Ireland.
“I wish Hilary the very best in the future.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson wished Hilary Benn well (Liam McBurney/PA)PA Wire“I look forward to working with his successor in the time ahead.”
Mr Robinson also said he looked forward to engaging with the next Northern Ireland Secretary.
“I thank Hilary Benn for his service as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and wish him well for the future,” he said in a statement on Monday evening.
“While we have had significant disagreements on a number of important issues, particularly legacy, the Windsor Framework and the need for Government to act more decisively in Northern Ireland’s interests, those differences were always advanced robustly and respectfully.
“The office of Secretary of State carries immense responsibility, and whoever succeeds Mr Benn must recognise the importance of working constructively with all parties whilst working to strengthen Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, and the need to deliver stable, accountable government that delivers the best services and outcomes for our people here.
“The Democratic Unionist Party looks forward to engaging positively with the incoming Secretary of State in the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Helen McEntee said Mr Benn ‘brought warmth and a constructive approach to all of his relationships here in Ireland’ (Bairbre Holmes/PA)PA WireSDLP leader Claire Hanna said while she “did not always agree” with Mr Benn she “found him to be thoughtful, engaged and willing to listen”.
“That approach stood in marked contrast to some previous secretaries of state, and I appreciated his willingness to reckon seriously with the challenges facing Northern Ireland,” she said.
“We will be pressing the new Secretary of State to ensure momentum is maintained on institutional reform, sustainable public finances and the long-term stability of Northern Ireland’s political institutions.”