UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM NEW DEFENSE SECRETARY; REVISES HEADLINE AND DECK; MINOR EDITS
By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday appointed Grant Shapps as the country's new defense secretary, replacing Ben Wallace.
Shapps, the energy security and net zero secretary before his promotion, briefly served as the home secretary under Liz Truss, transport secretary under Boris Johnson and previously as chairman of the Tory party.
Shapps said he is "honoured" to assume the new role. "I’d like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution Ben Wallace has made to UK defense and global security over the last 4 years.
"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 added.
Wallace formally submitted his resignation as the UK defense secretary this morning.
In his resignation letter, following on his announcement this July that he intended to leave his post, Wallace spoke of the "honor to serve alongside the men and women of our Armed forces and intelligence services who sacrifice so much for our security."
He added: "After careful contemplation, I have made the decision to request permission to step down. I first won my seat in 2005, and after many years of service, I believe it's time for me to devote attention to aspects of life that I've neglected and to explore fresh opportunities."
He extended gratitude for the support and friendship he has received, assuring Sunak and the government of his ongoing support. He is expected to keep his post as MP.
Wallace was said to be considered a potential successor to Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary general whose term was extended by another year in July. The former prime minister of Norway has been the security alliance’s chief since 2014, and his tenure has been extended several times.
NATO leaders avoided wrangling over a new secretary general, and agreed on an extension for Stoltenberg, now slated to step down in October 2024.
Wallace previously signaled that he is ready to take the NATO helm, saying, "That’s a job I’d like ... But it’s not for me to decide. It’s for all the other allies.”
In July, Wallace announced his decision to soon step down as defense chief.
Serving at the post under three different prime ministers, Wallace has played a prominent role in UK efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine, which now is over 18 months old.
Before his July announcement, Wallace sparked controversy by saying the UK did not function like an "Amazon" delivery service for providing weapons to Ukraine and also suggested Kyiv should consider expressing "gratitude" to its supporters.