Grant Shapps new British Defence Secretary

(Patria) - Grant Shapps has been confirmed as the new British Defence Secretary, after Ben Wallace resigned earlier today.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak quickly appointed Shapps, who previously served as Secretary of State for Energy Security in the cabinet.

Shapps previously served briefly as Home Secretary in Liz Truss's six-day cabinet, as Business Secretary, as Secretary of State for Transport, and as Chairman of the Conservative Party.

Shapps tweeted that he was "honoured" to be appointed Defence Secretary and paid tribute to former minister Wallace.

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 https://t.co/CXWOaYnmUJ

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 31, 2023

"I am honoured to be appointed Defence Secretary by Rishi Sunak. I would like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution Ben Wallace has made to UK defence and global security over the last four years.

As I take up my post at the Ministry of Defence, I look forward to working with the brave men and women of our armed forces who defend our country’s security.

I also look forward to continuing the UK’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s barbaric invasion," Shapps wrote.