Grant Shapps appointed UK’s new defence secretary, Downing Street says
Grant Shapps has been introduced because the UK’s new defence secretary, because the prime minister carries out a mini-reshuffle on the prime of presidency.
The appointment comes after Ben Wallace revealed last month he can be leaving the position the following time Rishi Sunak made modifications to his cupboard – in addition to stepping down as an MP on the subsequent election.
Mr Shapps had been serving because the power safety and web zero secretary earlier than his promotion to the Ministry of Defence.
Politics dwell: Mini-reshuffle begins – follow live updates
The new put up might be his fifth cupboard place in a yr – having been transport secretary below Boris Johnson, having a quick stint as residence secretary below Liz Truss, and having been appointed enterprise secretary when Mr Sunak first took workplace.
Minister for kids, Claire Coutinho, will take over the power safety temporary – the primary cupboard put up for MP who was solely elected in 2019 – and her Conservative colleague David Johnston will fill her former put up on the Department for Education.
Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates mentioned each Mr Shapps and Ms Coutinho had been “loyalists”, including they’d been chosen by the prime minister “not just perhaps because of their skills, but because they have stuck by Rishi Sunak”.
Minister for kids, Claire Coutinho, was noticed heading into Downing Street on Thursday morning.
Tweeting after his appointment, the brand new defence secretary mentioned he was “honoured”, and he paid tribute to his predecessor’s “enormous contribution… to UK defence and global security”.
Mr Shapps added: “As I get to work… I am looking forward to working with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who defend our nation’s security. And continuing the UK’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s barbaric invasion.”
He garnered the assist of a few of his colleagues, with Conservative Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt saying he would do “a great job”.
But the brand new rent has already attracted criticism from opposition events, with Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Richard Foord saying: “At a time when the Armed Forces need someone to stand up for them, Rishi Sunak has appointed a yes-man.
“The Conservative authorities merry-go-round has to cease. They have taken the Armed Forces with no consideration for too lengthy, and we’re all left much less protected consequently.”
“What do you know about defence Grant Shapps?” – Sky News’ Sam Coates questions the brand new minister.
Labour’s shadow defence secretary John Healey congratulated his new reverse quantity on X, previously generally known as Twitter, however accompanied his welcome with a dig.
“The first duty of any government is to keep our country safe and I will always work with the new defence secretary on this basis, especially on Ukraine,” wrote Mr Healy.
“But after 13 years of Tory defence failures, a change at the top will not change this record.”
‘Time to speculate’
Mr Wallace formally resigned his put up on Thursday morning, saying it had been a “privilege” to serve within the put up for 4 years.
In his letter to the PM, he mentioned the Ministry of Defence was now “more modern, better funded and more confident than the organisation I took over in 2019”, and it was “back on the path to being once again world class with world class people”.
And in a parting shot to safe his division’s future, Mr Wallace added: “I know you agree with me that we must not return to the days where defence was viewed as a discretionary spend by government and savings were achieved by hollowing out.
“I genuinely imagine that over the following decade the world will get extra insecure and extra unstable. We each share the idea that now could be the time to speculate.”
Ben Wallace, introduced he deliberate to step down in July, however formally resigned on Thursday.
Mr Sunak responded to the letter by saying the outgoing defence secretary had “served our country with distinction”.
He added: “I fully understand your desire to step down after eight years of exacting ministerial duties. As you say, the jobs you have done have required you to be available on a continuous basis.
“But I do know you will have extra to supply public life each right here and internationally. You depart workplace with my thanks and respect.”
A Labour source said Mr Wallace had “proven necessary management in supporting Ukraine from the beginning”.
But, while they said the former minister “deserves credit score for his assist” of Ukrainian fighters, “his report on British armed forces has been poor, with cuts and procurement failures the order of the day”.
The source added: “The new defence secretary must get a grip, enhance British forces and provides them the assets, equipment and lodging they deserve.”
Former prime minister Boris Johnson said he was “unhappy to see the departure” of Mr Wallace, who “received so many calls proper – particularly on Ukraine”.
But he praised the expected appointment of Mr Shapps, calling it “a wonderful alternative”.