Posting on social media, Mr Benn said the position had been “a great privilege.” Andy Burnham with his wife Marie-France van HeelEarlier this month, Mr Benn had called on Stormont parties to “do their job” and break a deadlock to finally set a new multi-year budget. Other major issues included the Labour government’s attempts to repeal the controversial Troubles legacy act and resetting relations with the Irish government after Brexit. “That approach stood in marked contrast to some previous Secretaries of State, and I appreciated his willingness to reckon seriously with the challenges facing Northern Ireland. “He approached his role with purpose and understanding, and with a clear wish to make things better for all the people of Northern Ireland,” she said.