Rishi Sunak to appoint new Defence Secretary in ‘mini-shuffle’ TODAY

Rishi Sunak tightened his grip on government ahead of the election today as he held a mini-shuffle after Ben Wallace formally quit as Defence Secretary.

In a surprise to many at Westminster, Grant Shapps was given the nod for the key role, despite having no previous experience in the area. 

Children’s minister Claire Coutinho – another Sunak arch-loyalist who was only elected to Parliament in 2019 – has been promoted to the top table to take over his duties as Net Zero Secretary.

Mr Shapps, who was grinning broadly as he entered No10 this morning, has served in a wide variety of posts throughout his political career, but never a defence brief. He did visit Ukraine recently, ostensibly to discuss energy issues.

Mr Shapps said he was ‘honoured’ to be appointed and would continue the ‘fight against Putin’s barbaric invasion’. He has now held five different Cabinet posts in less than a year.

But a former army chief warned that Mr Shapps knows ‘very little about defence’ and it will take him ‘quite some time to get up to speed’.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey and Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen had both been linked with the MoD job.

Mr Shapps posted on X: ‘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.

‘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.’

Mr Shapps was a staunch backer of Mr Sunak in the two recent Tory leadership contests.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old Ms Coutinho – the first of the 2019 intake to become a full Cabinet minister – was a special adviser to Mr Sunak when he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The Oxford-educated Brexiteer is MP for East Surrey, and has been a minister for less than a year.

Tory MP David Johnston takes her old duties at the Department for Education, closing off the limited reshuffle. 

In another sign that Mr Sunak is gathering trusted aides ready for the looming general election next year, two veteran advisers have been brought back into No10.

Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, a former aide to Matt Hancock, is returning as Downing Street director of strategy. And David Cameron adviser Adam Atashzai is joining the PM’s political office.  

Mr Wallace, who served under three prime ministers in his current role, has been lauded for overseeing the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was a close ally of Boris Johnson.

A favourite among Tory members, he was at one time seen as a potential leadership contender.

However, he ruled himself out of the running for the Conservative leadership last year despite being an early frontrunner in the race to replace Mr Johnson.

Mr Wallace was also touted as the next head of Nato earlier this summer, but his bid was thwarted by opposition from Joe Biden and France – who were adamant the next chief should come from an EU state.

Shortly afterwards Mr Wallace declared he will leave the Commons at the next election, having been embroiled in a row over suggesting Ukraine should show more ‘gratitude’ for Nato support. 

In his letter to Mr Sunak, Mr Wallace said: ‘The Ministry of Defence is back on the path to being once again world class with world class people.

‘The United Kingdom is respected around the world for our armed forces and that respect has only grown more since the war in Ukraine.

‘I know you agree with me that we must not return to the days where defence was viewed as a discretionary spend by Government and savings were achieved by hollowing out.’

Mr Sunak praised Mr Wallace, telling him he leaves office with ‘thanks and respect’.

Posting on the X social media site, Mr Wallace said: ‘That’s all folks! Been a privilege to serve this great nation.’ 

Mr Johnson was among those paying tribute to Mr Wallace’s contribution. ‘Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right – especially on Ukraine,’ he said.

‘Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him.’