### Clue: Straw was damaged in strong fire – I'm storing last of rye (7,8)
### Answer: FOREIGN MINISTER 
 ### Explanation: Definition: Straw was
  **Anagram of**(damaged) [IN STRONG FIRE – I'M] **containing**(storing) E(last letter of "rye").
Answer:  What John (but goes by "Jack") was for the UK from 2001-2006.  Not to be confused with another Jack Straw, one of the leaders of the 14C Peasants' Revolt in England (a nod to the latter by the former? or self-styling by the former, if you want to be ungenerous?