World

Ben Wallace, UK’s Nominee To Lead NATO Resigns As Defence Secretary

Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has resigned, the prime minister’s office confirmed Thursday.

Wallace stated last month that he would step down in the next UK government cabinet reshuffle.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised Wallace, 53, in a letter for the dedication and skill he brought to the post, which saw him take a leadership role in Western allies’ support for Ukraine against Russia.

“You have served our country with distinction”, Sunak said, adding that he had understood what Vladimir Putin’s true intentions in Ukraine were before others.

“Your determination to get Kyiv weaponry before the Russians attacked had a material effect on the ability of the Ukrainians to thwart the invasion”, the letter reads.

Wallace, a veteran army officer, was the UK’s choice to succeed to succeed NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

However, he was unable to get essential US support to replace him, and Stoltenberg has now extended his time as the alliance leader.

He stated in July that he was resigning not because he believed the ruling Conservatives, who are currently trailing the main opposition Labour Party in the polls, would lose the next election, but because his constituency in northwest England was being eliminated due to boundary changes.

Wallace has been a member of the UK parliament for 18 years and is the Conservative Party’s longest-serving defence secretary since Winston Churchill.

He was the only minister who stayed through the turbulent transition from his political ally Boris Johnson to the brief-lived Liz Truss and subsequently Sunak.

He was Theresa May’s security minister before becoming defence secretary in 2019.

Ben Wallace had great popularity among the Tories’ grassroots membership and was frequently predicted to be party leader, although he never actively sought the position.

Also read: Tata Power Renewable Energy Signs Agreement With Sanyo Special Steel Manufacturing To Build A 28-MW Solar Plant

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Pakistan’s Digital Frontline: Jokes, Memes And Savage Self-Roasts

While tensions between India and Pakistan escalate post the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, something unexpected…

24 mins ago

Reliance Industries Q4 Net Profit Rises 6.4% As Retail And Digital Units Offset Energy Weakness

Reliance Industries delivered a strong Q4 FY25 performance, with Y-o-Y net profit rising 6.4% to…

33 mins ago

Yash Pratap Singh And Mehak Jaiswal Top UP Board Exams With Outstanding Scores

Yash Pratap Singh of Jalaun tops Class 10 with 97.83%, while Prayagraj’s Mehak Jaiswal secures…

37 mins ago

Yogi Adityanath Calls For Reforms To Make Madrasa Education Modern And Employment-Oriented

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday emphasised the need for sweeping reforms in the madrasa…

2 hours ago

Tulsi Gabbard Backs India’s Hunt For Pahalgam Terror Attack Perpetrators

United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard on Friday expressed strong support for…

2 hours ago

World Leaders Head To Rome For funeral Of Pope Francis

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will also attend, representing India alongside Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister…

3 hours ago