Former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Brooke, who played ‘pivotal role’ in peace process, dies aged 89
Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville, a former Conservative minister credited with laying the foundations for the Northern Ireland peace process, has died aged 89.
He passed away peacefully in Wiltshire on Saturday, his family said.
Peter Brooke served as Northern Ireland secretary from 1989-92, holding the role under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major – helping to bring Sinn Féin to the negotiating table for talks that would years later lead to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
He was the first Northern Ireland secretary since the 1970s to entertain the idea of talks with the group – and also made clear that Britain would not oppose a united Ireland if it were the will of the Northern Irish people.
“It is not the aspiration to a sovereign, united Ireland against which we set our face, but its violent expression…the British government has no selfish strategic or economic interest in Northern Ireland,” he had declared in a major speech at the time.
Lord Brooke was later handed the role of national heritage secretary, overseeing the restoration of Windsor Castle following a devastating fire.
He was created a life peer in 2001 – following in the footsteps of his parents, both Conservative politicians who were elevated to the Lords.
Lord Brooke was one of the first peers to take voluntary retirement from the House in 2015, after reforms to enable peers to step aside in their advancing years.
Sir John Major said: “Peter Brooke was a dear friend and colleague for many years – before and after our time in parliament.
“In all he did, Peter was the first gentleman of politics, which he elevated with his calm, gentle, yet tenacious character – not least with regard to his pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
“Honourable to the core, he was one of the most deep down decent people I have ever known. I was proud to call him my friend.”
Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, also paid tribute to his predecessor.
He tweeted: “I was very sorry to learn of the passing of former NI Secretary, Lord Brooke.
“As one of my predecessors, Peter played a pivotal role in laying the foundations of the peace process. We are indebted to him for his public service working for the betterment of everyone in NI.”
