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

SC Upholds Rajasthan’s Electricity Regulations; Dismissing Power Companies Plea

The Supreme Court has granted a major relief to the Rajasthan government by upholding the…

8 hours ago

SC Expresses Concern Over Rising Trend Of False Rape Cases On Marriage Promises

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the rising tendency to register rape cases based…

9 hours ago

Adani Ports Mundra Sets National Record With Historic 200 MMT Cargo Handling Milestone

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone set a national record by handling 450 MMT of…

9 hours ago

SC Seeks Response On Vikas Yadav’s Bail Plea In Nitish Katara Murder Case

SC issues notice to UP govt, Neelam Katara on Vikas Yadav’s interim bail plea in…

9 hours ago

SC Slams Telangana CM Over Remarks On BRS MLAs’ Disqualification Case

The SC expressed displeasure over Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s remarks regarding the disqualification…

9 hours ago

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Opposes Waqf Bill; Calls It Legislative Discrimination

JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini condemns the Waqf Amendment Bill for singling out Muslims and…

10 hours ago