Grant Shapps confirmed as new Defence Secretary
Rishi Sunak has made two key appointments in a mini-cabinet reshuffle today - all sparked by the resignation of ex-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
Grant Shapps has been confirmed as the UK's new Defence Secretary by the Prime Minister, his fifth ministerial job in a year.
The Government confirmed King Charles "has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State for Defence".
Mr Shapps has previously headed up Transport, Home, Business and the Environment.
Claire Coutinho has also been awarded a major career boost as she's appointed the new Net Zero secretary.
READ MORE: Ben Wallace quits as Defence Secretary as Sunak makes major government reshuffle
Grant Shapps arriving at No. 10 (Image: PA)
Mr Shapps said he was "honoured" to be appointed as Defence Secretary by Rishi Sunak.
"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 the Ministry of Defence 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 visited Ukraine just last week, saying: "What I saw in Kyiv this week was a people resolute in their defiance against Putin’s tyranny and Russia’s aggression".
Six other names had been in the running to secure the job, including a raft of more junior ministers with more defence experience.
Mr Sunak's decision to move Mr Shapps from one of the top Government jobs suggests today will see a slightly more wide-reaching reshuffle than expected.
Responding to the move, Boris Johnson said Mr Shapps is an "excellent" pick for the job. "Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right - especially on Ukraine.
"Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him."
Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right - especially on Ukraine. Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 31, 2023
Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right - especially on Ukraine. Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 31, 2023
Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right - especially on Ukraine. Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 31, 2023
Claire Coutinho
Junior education minister Claire Coutinho was handed a major promotion to the new Net Zero Secretary, replacing Grant Shapps.
Ms Coutinho was only elected in 2019, and her elevation to one of the top jobs in the Cabinet surpasses even Rishi Sunak's rise from backbencher to Secretary of State.
She served as a political advisor to Mr Sunak during his time as Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2019, and prior to that worked in private equity and at Iain Duncan Smith's centre-right think thank.
She backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, saying she'd joined the Government as a Special Advisor in order to help deliver it "from the inside".
Ms Coutinho resigned as a ministerial bag carrier in July 2022 over her opposition to Boris Johnson's leadership following the Chris Pincher scandal, and was one of the first MPs to back Mr Sunak for the leadership in last summer's battle between him and Liz Truss.
Rishi Sunak hands major promotion to longest standing political ally Claire Coutinho Claire Coutinho has been awarded a major career boost as she's appointed the new Net Zero secretary amid Rishi Sunak's Cabinet reshuffle.
By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, Senior Political Correspondent, reporting from Westminster
10:33, Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | UPDATED: 11:10, Thu, Aug 31, 2023
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Grant Shapps confirmed as new Defence Secretary
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Junior education minister Claire Coutinho has been handed a major promotion thanks to a cabinet reshuffle at No.10.
By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, Senior Political Correspondent, reporting from Westminster
10:33, Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | UPDATED: 11:10, Thu, Aug 31, 2023
97 BOOKMARK
By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, Senior Political Correspondent, reporting from Westminster
10:33, Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | UPDATED: 11:10, Thu, Aug 31, 2023
By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, Senior Political Correspondent, reporting from Westminster
10:33, Thu, Aug 31, 2023 | UPDATED: 11:10, Thu, Aug 31, 2023
97 BOOKMARK
Grant Shapps confirmed as new Defence Secretary
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Junior education minister Claire Coutinho has been handed a major promotion thanks to a cabinet reshuffle at No.10.
Grant Shapps confirmed as new Defence Secretary
0 seconds of 43 secondsVolume 100%
Junior education minister Claire Coutinho has been handed a major promotion thanks to a cabinet reshuffle at No.10.
Grant Shapps confirmed as new Defence Secretary
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0 seconds of 43 secondsVolume 100%
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Junior education minister Claire Coutinho has been handed a major promotion thanks to a cabinet reshuffle at No.10.
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Ms Coutinho was handed a major promotion by Rishi Sunak (Image: Getty)
The Liberal Democrats slammed the appointment, saying Rishi Suank has "appointed a yes-man" to the role.
Their Shadow Defence spokesperson Richard Foord said: "At a time when the armed forces need someone to stand up for them, Rishi Sunak has appointed a yes-man. This is Shapps' fifth cabinet role in less than a year.
"The Conservative Government merry-go-round has to stop. They have taken the armed forces for granted for too long, and we are all left less safe as a result.
"The Conservative Government merry-go-round has to stop. They have taken the armed forces for granted for too long, and we are all left less safe as a result.”
The Liberal Democrats slammed the appointment, saying Rishi Suank has "appointed a yes-man" to the role.
Their Shadow Defence spokesperson Richard Foord said: "At a time when the armed forces need someone to stand up for them, Rishi Sunak has appointed a yes-man. This is Shapps' fifth cabinet role in less than a year.
"The Conservative Government merry-go-round has to stop. They have taken the armed forces for granted for too long, and we are all left less safe as a result.
"The Conservative Government merry-go-round has to stop. They have taken the armed forces for granted for too long, and we are all left less safe as a result.”
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Treasury minister and long-standing Rishi Sunak ally Claire Coutinho was seen entering No. 10 shortly after Mr Shapps's appointment, suggesting she's in line for a major promotion to replace him at Energy Security and Net Zero.
In a letter confirming his departure, Mr Wallace said last month marked his fourth year as Defence Secretary and his ninth as a minister since joining Parliament in 2005, and while it had been a privilege to serve in the role he now wishes to "step down”.
"I won my seat in 2005 and after so many years it is time for me to invest in the parts of my life that I have neglected, and to explore new opportunities”.
Mr Wallace thanked the PM for his support and friendship, and promised that he and the Government will have his "continued support" from the backbenches.
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