Grant Shapps is UK’s new defence secretary after Ben Wallace resigns
- Grant Shapps is one of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s staunchest Cabinet allies
- Ben Wallace, who held the defence role for four years, said in July he wanted to step down
Former energy minister Grant Shapps replaced Ben Wallace on Thursday as Britain’s defence minister, a promotion for a man relied upon by the government as a good media communicator but lacking in direct experience of the military.
An ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Shapps takes on the brief when Britain is trying to increase its production of weaponry, particularly artillery shells, to try to help Ukraine push back Russian forces and replenish its own stockpiles.
Shapps, 54, visited Kyiv earlier this month, announcing export finance guarantees and also visiting the kindergarten once attended by the young son of the family who now lives with him under Britain’s “Homes for Ukraine” scheme.
Sunak’s office said King Charles had approved his appointment.
Claire Coutinho replaces Shapps as secretary of state for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.
Coutinho, who has been a member of parliament since 2019, was previously a junior minister in the education department.