Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is the British cabinet minister who has responsibility for the government of Northern Ireland.

Secretaries of State (1972- present)

• William Whitelaw (March 24, 1972 - December 2, 1973)
• Francis Pym (December 2, 1973 - March 4, 1974)
• Merlyn Rees (March 5, 1974 - September 10, 1976)
• Roy Mason (September 10, 1976 - May 4, 1979)
• Humphrey Atkins (May 5, 1979 - September 14, 1981)
• James Prior (September 14, 1981 - September 11, 1984)
• Douglas Hurd (September 11, 1984 - September 3, 1985)
• Tom King (September 3, 1985 - July 24, 1989)
• Peter Brooke (July 24, 1989 - April 10, 1992)
• Sir Patrick Mayhew (April 10, 1992 - May 2, 1997)
• Mo Mowlam (May 3, 1997 - October 11, 1999)
• Peter Mandelson (October 11, 1999 - January 24, 2001) (Resigned)
• John Reid (January 25, 2001 - October 24, 2002)
• Paul Murphy (October 24, 2002 - May 6, 2005)
• Peter Hain (May 6, 2005 - )