Boris Johnson news live: Latest Brexit updates as Tories ‘turning on poorest’ with UC cut

Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the “thoroughly decent” former Northern Ireland secretary, as have other Labour figures.

“James Brokenshire was a thoroughly decent man, dedicated and effective in all briefs he held,” Sir Keir tweeted.

“He fought his illness with dignity and bravery. I’m incredibly sad to learn of his death and send my condolences to his wife and children.”

Ian Jones, a Labour councillor in Wiltshire, agreed, saying: “He wasn’t just the best of them but the best of us all. Incredibly sad news. Such a dedicated public servant.”

MP Jess Phillips wrote: “He was a very gentle man who would always try to sort out your cases with kindness. So much love to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Former prime minister and Conservative leader David Cameron wrote on Twitter: “Devastated to hear the heartbreaking news that James Brokenshire has died, well before his time.

“He was a hard-working and dedicated MP but, more than that, he was a thoroughly decent and lovely man, and devoted to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them all today.”

Theresa May, the former prime minister and Tory leader, tweeted: “Truly saddened by the death of James Brokenshire.

“He was an outstanding public servant, a talented minister and a loyal friend. My thoughts are with Cathy and his whole family.”

A flurry of MPs, Cabinet ministers and think-tank bosses have taken to social media to pay their respects to Tory MP James Brokenshire, who has died after suffering from lung cancer.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said:

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:

Director of the Onward think-tank Will Tanner said:

Matt Hancock, former health secretary, said:

Newly-instated culture secretary Nadine Dorries wrote:

And Tory MP Saqib Bhatti said:

Here’s Holly Bancroft with more on James Brokenshire’s death:

Following my last post, James Brokenshire’s family released a statement to say:

“James died peacefully at Darent Valley Hospital yesterday evening with family members by his bedside. He had been in hospital since Sunday after his condition rapidly deteriorated.

“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 & 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.”

His family then thanked “all the NHS staff” involved in caring for Mr Brokenshire over the past three-and-a-half years.

“We would also ask that our privacy as a family is respected at this time,” they added.

Former Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire has died at the age of 53.

The Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup died “peacefully” surrounded by loved ones, his family said in a statement.

Broken public transport networks are having a “crippling effect” on access to jobs in towns and cities where Boris Johnson aims to “level up”, a Conservative think-tank has warned.

In a new report, Onward reveals the areas where chronic transport connectivity puts employment opportunities out of reach and describes the “shocking transport gap” between North and South, reports our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn.

It comes after the prime minister delivered a keynote speech to the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday boasting about his election slogan to level up the country – but was criticised for being “vacuous” on policy.

A bit more on the Northern Ireland Protocol now. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he is pleased with the EU’s “change of tone” on the post-Brexit measure.

It comes after a meeting between him and Irish premier Micheal Martin in Belfast on Friday to discuss the latest proposals by the bloc to solve the ongoing impasse.

Sir Jeffrey told reporters:

“I welcome the change in tone, I welcome the change in the language being used. People are now solution-focused.

“They’re now talking about negotiations. All of these things were off the table, even three months ago.

“I think that our actions have caused a sharper focus on the need to find a solution that removes the Irish sea border and restores Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.”