Secretary of State for Justice

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Secretary of State for Justice
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government).svg
Arms of Her Majesty's Government
Ministry of Justice
Incumbent
Kenneth Clarke

since 12 May 2010
Style The Right Honourable
Appointer David Cameron
Inaugural holder Lord Falconer of Thoroton
Formation 9 May 2007
Deputy Minister of State for Justice
Website Ministry of Justice

The Secretary of State for Justice is a senior position in the cabinet of the United Kingdom. It was created in 2007 replacing the abolished Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, which was originally intended to fulfil those functions of the office of Lord Chancellor which related to the Lord Chancellor's Department. On 9 May 2007, the Department for Constitutional Affairs was abolished, and a Ministry of Justice was created in its place. The Ministry of Justice is also responsible for certain functions transferred from the Home Office.

The then Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, was appointed to the post of Secretary of State for Justice on the abolition of his position as Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs. The Home Secretary, John Reid, told Parliament that future Secretaries of State for Justice would be MPs rather than peers. Jack Straw took over this department on 28 June 2007, following the selection of Gordon Brown as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister and left office after the resignation of Gordon Brown on 11 May 2010. He was replaced by Conservative MP Ken Clarke.

[edit] List of Secretaries of State for Justice

Colour key (for political parties):
Politicians:       Conservative       Labour
Governments:       Single party government       Coalition government

Name Portrait Term of office Political party Prime Minister Notes
The Rt. Hon.
The Lord Falconer of Thoroton PC, QC
Charles Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, May 2009.jpg 9 May 2007 27 June 2007 Labour Tony Blair Previously the first and only Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs; also held the office and title of Lord Chancellor.
The Rt. Hon.
Jack Straw MP
Jack Straw meeting with Rumsfeld at Pentagon, May 19, 2005, cropped.jpg 28 June 2007 11 May 2010 Labour Gordon Brown First non-peer to serve as Lord Chancellor since Sir Robert Henley as Lord Keeper of the Seal in 1760.
The Rt. Hon.
Kenneth Clarke MP, QC
Ken Clarke 2010.jpg 12 May 2010 Incumbent Conservative David Cameron Also holds the office and title of Lord Chancellor.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


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