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Back to MinistersJohn Reid - Home Secretary
Dr John Reid MP is the Home Secretary, the head of the Home Office.
Responsibilities
The Home Secretary has overall responsibility for the work of the Home Office. He has particular responsibility for:
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security
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counter-terrorism
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civil emergencies
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expenditure issues
Biography
Born in Scotland in May 1947, John Reid went to school in Coatbridge. He read History at Stirling University, staying to take a Doctorate in Economic History.
He worked as a research officer for the Labour Party from 1979 to 1983. He acted as political adviser to Neil Kinnock from 1983 to 1985 and organised Scottish Trade Unionists for Labour from 1986 to 1987.
Dr Reid has held the following posts in Parliament:
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Opposition Spokesman on Children
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Opposition Spokesman on Defence
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Minister of State for Defence
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Minister for Transport
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Secretary of State for Scotland
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Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
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Minister without Portfolio and Party Chair
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Leader of the House of Commons and President of the Council
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Secretary of State for Health
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Secretary of State for Defence
Following a year at the Ministry of defence, he took over as Home Secretary on 5 May 2006.
John Reid enjoys reading history and solving crosswords in his spare time. He is married to Ms Carine Adler.
