NEW LINE OF DEFENCE
Rishi Sunak names Grant Shapps as new defence secretary to replace Ben Wallace in mini-reshuffle
RISHI Sunak has appointed Energy Secretary Grant Shapps to be his new Defence Secretary as he carried out a mini-reshuffle this morning.
The PM announced the move to replace Ben Wallace just days before MPs are expected back in Westminster for the start of the new term
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The mini reshuffle of his top team is limited to just a few small moves, with a wider one expected after party conference and the King's Speech in November.
Downing Street confirmed the move this morning after The Sun last night exclusively revealed plans for today's rejig.
And Mr Shapps - who was seen going into No10 this morning - was confirmed to be the new Cabinet appointment.
He has served as Transport Secretary, Business Secretary, Home Secretary, Energy Secretary and now, Defence Secretary, in the last year alone.
Mr Shapps - who visited Ukraine just last week - said after he was appointed: "I’m honoured to be appointed as Defence Secretary by Rishi Sunak.
"I’d like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution Ben Wallace has made to UK defence & global security over the last 4 years.
"As I get to work at @DefenceHQ 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."
Shadow defence secretary John Healey congratulated Mr Shapps on his new role but warned he was taking charge after more than a decade of Conservative failure.
The Labour frontbencher said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "I congratulate Grant Shapps today.
"The first duty of any government is to keep our country safe & I will always work with the new Defence Secretary on this basis, especially on Ukraine
"But after 13 years of Tory defence failures, a change at the top will not change this record."
Childcare minister Claire Coutinho - Rishi's former PPS and special adviser - was seen walking up Downing Street next - and was announced as Mr Shapps replacement.
Backbencher David Johnston takes up the role of childcare minister.
Mr Wallace - who has been Defence Secretary for four years - warned the world will become more dangerous and urged Mr Sunak not to compromise on cash for the armed forces.
In a parting letter to the PM, he said: "I genuinely believe that over the next decade the world will get more insecure and more unstable.
"We both share the belief that now is the time to invest. Ever since I joined the Army I have dedicated myself to serving my country.
"That dedication however comes at a personal toll to me and my family.
"After much reflection, I have taken the decision to ask that I be allowed to step down.
"I won my seat in 2005 and after so many years it is time for me to invest in the parts of life that I have neglected, and to explore new opportunities."
Mr Wallace - who is also stepping down as an MP at the next election - had wanted to become Nato chief but had his bid blocked by the US.
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Ex-PM Boris Johnson paid tribute to him this morning, saying: "Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right - especially on Ukraine. Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him.
Mr Sunak lavished praise on his departing Defence Secretary for his "exceptional judgement" while in the post.
He said: "I will always be personally grateful to you for your loyalty and advice since I became Prime Minister."
Mr Wallace, who served in the role for seven years, announced his intention to quit politics last month, as first revealed by The Sun.
Who is Grant Shapps, the new defence secretary?
Shapps has been the Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield since 2005.
He's currently the energy secretary, and has also served as home secretary and transport secretary.
Shapps has been in British politics for a number of years - he publicly backed former PM David Cameron's bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
He worked as Shadow Housing Minister in 2007 before becoming Minister of State for Housing in the 2010 election.
In Cameron's first major reshuffle, in 2012, Shapps was appointed co-chairman of the Conservative Party.
During May 2015, the MP stepped down as minister for state and was sacked from the Cabinet due to bullying allegations which he had ignored.
The Remainer came back to the Cabinet as Transport Secretary in 2019, following Boris Johnson's election.
He retained this position in the 2020 and Cabinet 2021 reshuffles.
During the coronavirus pandemic he was responsible for the Government's travel traffic light system which put countries into red, amber and green categories and determined regulations were in place for UK travellers returning from those countries.
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Mr Wallace will stay as a backbench MP until the next election when his seat is being scrapped.
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MPs across the political spectrum paid tribute to his work as Head of the armed forces - spearheading the UK's response to the Ukraine war and providing aid and weapons to the nation.
Mr Sunak is expected to save a wider reshuffle of his top team ready for the next election for after party conference season and the King's Speech in November.
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