SACKED NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Julian Smith is planning on drowning his sorrows in the time-honoured tradition with a trip down the pub.
Mr Smith was surprisingly replaced in the role by Brand Lewis this week as part of a major cabinet reshuffled by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Widely credited with overseeing the efforts to get Northern Ireland’s main political parties to agree to go back into the executive together, Mr Smith’s departure was greeted with surprise and dismay by politicians across the region.
Praised for his role in ushering legislation through Parliament to provide compensation to historical abuse victims, Mr Smith appears to have taken his sudden departure in his stride.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, he wished his successor the best of luck in the role and outlined his plans for the future.
“I think my future plans are things like going to the pub,” said the MP.
“I’m now going to my constituency but I wish the new Cabinet, new Secretary of State, all the best of luck.”
Constituency school visits almost always hit the nail on the head. Today no exception:
Child - 'do you know Boris Johnson?' Me- 'yes' Child - 'wow. when did you last meet him' Me - 'er, yesterday' Child 'really! How was it?' Me 'er, er, er...great, it was just great'.— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) February 14, 2020
Later, Mr Smith tweeted out an amusing exchange he had with pupil during a visit to a school in his constituency.
Asked if he knew Boris Johnson, Mr Smith responded that he did. Asked when was the last time he met the Prime Minister, Mr Smith responded it was yesterday.
Asked: “Really! How was it?”
Mr Smith, having been sacked from the Cabinet, said he told the pupil: “Er, er, er… great, it was just great.”
