London, UK: Mr. Grant Shapps was named as the new Defense Secretary after Mr. Ben Wallace resigned.
This marks Mr. Shapps’ fifth cabinet position in less than a year, having previously served as Energy Secretary, Transport Secretary, and briefly as Home Secretary. Mr. Ben Wallace will not seek re-election as an MP in the upcoming election.
In a statement, Mr. Shapps expressed his commitment to carrying on Mr. Wallace’s backing of Ukraine in their struggle against Mr. Putin.
Mr. Shapps expressed his honour at being appointed and praised Mr. Wallace’s significant contribution to UK defence and global security during the past four years.
“I am looking forward to working with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who defend our nation’s security,” Mr. Shapps added.
Mr. Wallace, who held the position of Defense Secretary under three prime ministers, stated that he was resigning ” to invest in the parts of life that I have neglected, and to explore new opportunities.”
In his resignation statement, Mr. Wallace acknowledged that his military and political careers had taken “a personal toll on me and my family.”
Mr. Wallace departs from parliament as one of the most enduring ministers in the government. In his role as defence secretary, he supervised the evacuation of military personnel from Afghanistan and managed the UK’s military involvement in the Ukraine War.
He also called for increased funding for the armed forces, asserting that the British army had been weakened over the course of 30 years.
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