The new Northern Secretary’s name means nothing to Martin McGuinness

But James Brokenshire could play a big role when it comes to Brexit and the border

James Brokenshire leaves No 10 Pic: Getty

If Irish officials were taken aback to see Boris Johnson cross the path into 10 Downing Street on Wednesday evening and emerge a short time later as foreign secretary, then their reaction to another appointment of key importance to this country couldn’t have been more different. James Broken Who?

A few had to Google the new Northern Secretary, before word came from higher ranking mandarins that they had met him on the margins ...