Former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire, has passed away aged 53.

In a statement by his family, he “died peacefully” with family by his side.

Brokenshire was Housing Secretary under Theresa May from April 2018 to July 2019. He was in post when the first Social Housing Green Paper was launched following the fire at Grenfell Tower.

He was also Housing Secretary when government lifted the HRA borrowing cap for councils.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said: “On behalf of the Civil Service, I would like to express my deep sadness at the news of James Brokenshire’s death.

“He was a man of deep kindness and integrity, and as a Minister he inspired respect and loyalty from the civil servants who worked for him in the Home Office, Northern Ireland Office and the then Ministry for Housing and Local Government. I had the personal privilege of working with him closely over a number of years and admired greatly his unwavering commitment to public service and compassion.

“The thoughts and condolences of colleagues right across the Civil Service are with James’s family and friends.”