rant Shapps vowed to proceed assist for Ukraine as he was introduced as the brand new defence secretary on Thursday.
The Prime Minister carried out a mini reshuffle on the coronary heart of his Authorities after Ben Wallace formally resigned the put up he has held for 4 years.
Claire Coutinho, beforehand an schooling minister, will take over as vitality secretary.
Mr Shapps paid tribute to his predecessor and added: “I’m wanting ahead to working with the courageous women and men of our armed forces who defend our nation’s safety. And persevering with the UK’s assist for Ukraine of their battle towards Putin’s barbaric invasion.”
It’s the fifth senior Cupboard place Mr Shapps has held within the final 12 months, having additionally served as transport secretary, dwelling secretary, enterprise secretary and vitality secretary.
Mr Wallace introduced final month that he could be leaving the Ministry of Defence.
In a letter to Rishi Sunak on Thursday morning, he mentioned: “As I end my tenure, I can mirror that the Ministry of Defence that I go away is now extra fashionable, higher funded and extra assured than the organisation I took over in 2019. In addition to being energetic world wide we now have additionally invested in prosperity at dwelling.
“The UK is revered world wide for our Armed Forces and that respect has solely grown extra for the reason that conflict in Ukraine.
“I do know you agree with me that we should not return to the times the place Defence was seen as a discretionary spend by Authorities and financial savings had been achieved by hollowing out.”
Rishi Sunak is predicted to nominate a brand new defence secretary to interchange Ben Wallace on Thursday (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)
/ PA WireHe added that his dedication to the armed forces had come at a “private toll to me and my household”.
“After a lot reflection, I’ve taken the choice to ask that I be allowed to step down,” he mentioned. “I gained my seat in 2005 and after so a few years it’s time for me to spend money on the components of life that I’ve uncared for, and to discover new alternatives.”
The PM mentioned Mr Wallace had served his nation with “distinction”.
Mr Sunak added: “You have got been a vigorous advocate for the defence of the realm.”
Mr Shapps was the shock frontrunner for the job on Thursday morning.
He visited Ukraine final week and tweeted: “What I noticed in Kyiv this week was a folks resolute of their defiance towards Putin’s tyranny and Russia’s aggression.”
Former PM Boris Johnson mentioned he was “unhappy to see” the departure of Mr Wallace however “Grant Shapps is a superb option to succeed him”.
Mr Wallace, who served below three prime ministers in his present function, performed a key half within the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was a detailed ally of Boris Johnson.
Common amongst Tory members, he was at one time seen as a possible management contender.
He dominated himself out of the working for the Conservative management final 12 months regardless of being an early frontrunner within the race to interchange Mr Johnson.
His successor will tackle the high-profile function because the conflict in Ukraine continues.
A Labour supply mentioned: “The outgoing defence secretary has proven actual management in supporting Ukraine from the beginning and Labour will proceed to face shoulder to shoulder with the federal government in assist of the folks of Ukraine till the conflict towards Russia is gained.
“Now we have to remain the course and see this via. Whereas Ben Wallace deserves credit score for his assist of Ukraine’s armed forces, his document on British armed forces has been poor, with cuts and procurement failures the order of the day. The brand new defence secretary must get a grip, enhance British forces and provides them the sources, equipment and lodging they deserve.”
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