Team Blitz India
LONDON: In a swift response to the resignation of Ben Wallace, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has tapped Grant Shapps, a seasoned Conservative MP and former Energy Secretary, to step into the role of DefenceSecretary.
Wallace, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Tory DefenceSecretary since Winston Churchill, submitted his resignation recently.
The announcement of Shapps’s appointment came from the office of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, approximately an hour after Shapps was observed entering 10 Downing Street, according to a report by AFP.
On the digital platform X (previously known as Twitter), the PMO conveyed, “The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP @GrantShapps has been appointed Secretary of State for Defence @DefenceHQ.”
In his initial response to this new responsibility, Shapps expressed eagerness to collaborate with the armed forces responsible for safeguarding the nation. He conveyed, “I’m honoured to be appointed as Defence Secretary by @RishiSunak. I’d like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution Ben Wallace has made to UK defence& global security over the last 4 years.”
Shapps further added, “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.”
Shapps, who briefly held the position of Home Secretary in Liz Truss’s Government, also served as Transport Secretary in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet.
This appointment has prompted a subsequent rearrangement within the Government, as MP Claire Coutinho has been entrusted with the role of Energy Secretary.
In his resignation letter, Ben Wallace emphasised his steadfast solidarity with the armed forces.
