New Delhi: In a mini reshuffle, former energy minister Grant Shapps replaced Ben Wallace as Britain's defence minister on Thursday, after Wallace’s resignation earlier today.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office announced the appointment of Shapps, 54, who currently serves as energy security and net zero secretary, after he was seen arriving at number 10 Downing Street.
"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 said on X after his appointment was announced by the government.
The prime minister's office on Thursday said that Ben Wallace, who last month announced he would step down in the next UK government cabinet reshuffle, has resigned.
In a letter to Wallace, Rishi Sunak praised the "dedication and skill" he brought to the role that saw him take a leading role in Western allies' support for Ukraine against Russia.
"You have served our country with distinction," Sunak wrote, adding that he had seen "before others did what Vladimir Putin's true intentions in Ukraine were".
"Your determination to get Kiev weaponry before the Russians attacked had a material effect on the ability of the Ukrainians to thwart the invasion."
Wallace has been in the UK parliament for 18 years, and is the longest-serving Conservative defence secretary since Winston Churchill.
He was the only minister in a senior post to remain in the turbulent transition from his political ally Boris Johnson to the short-lived Liz Truss and then Sunak.