Statement by Northern Ireland Secretary on the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has issued the following statement in response to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II:

I am deeply saddened at the news of the loss of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has been the matriarch and pillar of our country and the Commonwealth. She has always provided wise counsel, admirably and selflessly, fulfilling a lifetime commitment to public service.

Her Majesty dedicated herself to our family of nations, no more so was this apparent than in Northern Ireland, We will always be greatly indebted for her efforts to promote reconciliation and the fostering of better community relations, ensuring peace and stability.

I want to offer my sincere condolences to The King and the entire Royal Family on their loss. The thoughts of the people of Northern Ireland, like the rest of the United Kingdom and around the world, are with them at this time.