Brexit Gets More Complicated as May's N. Ireland Minister Quits

(Bloomberg) -- One of the thorniest questions facing Brexit negotiators -- how to handle the U.K.'s new land border with Ireland -- is suddenly looking even more difficult.

The experienced James Brokenshire resigned as Northern Ireland Secretary for health reasons on Monday. His departure is a blow for Theresa May, who trusted him as a loyal supporter who could work with her key allies in Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party.

Brokenshire played a vital role in resolving the crisis last month that threatened to destroy hopes of a deal on the terms of the U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union.

He stayed up late into the night in May's private office, trying to persuade DUP leaderArlene Foster not to block a compromise on the Northern Irish border, allowing the negotiations to move on from the divorce issues to discussions of a future trade deal with the EU.

Brokenshire's exit means that May has now lost the three Cabinet ministers with the greatest knowledge of working with the DUP, whose 10 members of Parliament are propping up her minority Conservative government. Keeping the DUP onside is vital for May's hopes of staying in power and securing a Brexit deal. Foster praised Brokenshire's “intimate knowledge” of Northern Ireland.

Last year, the two top Tories who negotiated the alliance with the DUP after May lost her majority in June's election both left their jobs. Gavin Williamson was promoted from chief whip to defense secretary, while Damian Green was fired as first secretary of state over pornography allegations.

May worked with Brokenshire closely for six years at the Home Office, the U.K. government department she ran before becoming prime minister in 2016. She paid tribute to his “diligence, determination and good humor,” and said she looked forward to working with him again when he is better.

“We must continue to secure the positive outcome for Northern Ireland to which we have already made such progress in our Brexit negotiations,” May said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tim Ross in London at tross54@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Flavia Krause-Jackson at fjackson@bloomberg.net, Emma Ross-Thomas

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