Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron (left), leads his first cabinet meeting at number 10 Downing Street in London.

Shropshire MP Owen Paterson joined Prime Minister David Cameron’s historic coalition government today as the new Northern Ireland Secretary, writes London Reporter Sunita Patel

It was straight down to business for the North Shropshire MP who joined other senior Tories, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and his top Lib Dem ministers round the table for the first meeting of Mr Cameron’s Cabinet.

Mr Paterson has held the shadow portfolio for Northern Ireland since 2007.

He said “very interesting” times lay ahead as he immediately got stuck into his new leading role.

“It has been an up and down week. It has come as a complete surprise and it is very interesting to where we have got to,” said Mr Paterson.

“I am very pleased to be given the Northern Ireland job. I have been going there every week for three years.

“It will be very interesting. I had some briefings last night and I made some calls, so we are straight into it.”

The Cabinet post has a reduced workload following this year’s devolution of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.

Secure

But Mr Paterson said that he would be “getting straight to work to help Northern Ireland build the secure and shared future that the people want, deserve and have a right to expect”.

The 53-year-old Conservative MP has enjoyed a rapid rise in the Tory Party since being first elected to Parliament in 1997.

He said: “Over the two and three quarter years I have got to know Northern Ireland very well, and I am delighted and honoured that the Prime Minister has asked me to represent the interests of Northern Ireland at the heart of the Government of the United Kingdom.

“We are all facing huge challenges ahead, not least in addressing the economic crisis that threatens the UK.

“But, at all times, I will ensure that Northern Ireland’s needs are fully taken into account when decisions are made at Westminster and I will stand up for Northern Ireland in the Cabinet.”

He added: “There will be tough decisions ahead, everyone knows that, but they will never be taken without proper regard for the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.”