Ben Wallace has resigned as defence secretary forward of an anticipated reshuffle from the prime minister.
Mr Wallace had stated he would resign from the position the subsequent time Rishi Sunak made adjustments to his cupboard – forward of standing down on the subsequent election.
Read his resignation letter in full:
Dear prime minister,
Last month marked my fourth 12 months as secretary of state for defence. It additionally marks the ninth 12 months as a minister. I’ve had the privilege of serving you and your predecessors within the job of defending this nice nation and protecting its residents protected.
As you understand that duty carries with it a 24/7 obligation to be out there at nearly no discover. In my time as each safety minister and at defence, I’ve been in a position to contribute to the federal government’s response to a spread of threats and incidents.
From Wannacry, the 2017 terrorist assaults, the Salisbury poisonings, Afghanistan, Sudan and Ukraine, it has been an honour to serve alongside the women and men of our Armed Forces and intelligence providers who sacrifice a lot for our safety.
The final 4 years has seen our Armed Forces and their management shine by way of. Whether it was the evacuation of Kabul, our COVID response, Ukraine or Sudan, the professionalism of our folks has been first-class.
The funding you made in defence as chancellor and the continued help you’ve gotten proven as prime minister has been key to enabling the Ministry of Defence to ship for Britain. I’m personally very grateful in your management.
As I end my tenure, I can mirror that the Ministry of Defence that I depart is now extra trendy, higher funded and extra assured than the organisation I took over in 2019.
As effectively as being lively world wide now we have additionally invested in prosperity at dwelling. I’m proud that I’ve secured GCAP, AUKUS, NCF, nationwide shipbuilding and the defence and safety industrial methods that may safe hundreds of British jobs for our younger folks a few years into the longer term.
The Ministry of Defence is again on the trail to being as soon as once more world class with world class folks. The United Kingdom is revered world wide for our Armed Forces and that respect has solely grown extra because the struggle in Ukraine.
I do know you agree with me that we should not return to the times the place defence was considered as a discretionary spend by authorities and financial savings had been achieved by hollowing out. I genuinely consider that over the subsequent decade the world will get extra insecure and extra unstable. We each share the assumption that now could be the time to speculate.
Ever since I joined the Army I’ve devoted myself to serving my nation.
That dedication nevertheless comes at a private toll to me and my household.
After a lot reflection, I’ve taken the choice to ask that I be allowed to step down. I received my seat in 2005 and after so a few years it’s time for me to spend money on the elements of life that I’ve uncared for, and to discover new alternatives.
Thank you for the help and your friendship. You and the federal government may have my continued help.
Source: information.sky.com”