Ben Wallace resigns as UK defenсe secretary. Grant Shapps to succeed him

Wallace's resignation was reported by Sky News on August 31.

In a letter to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Wallace praised the armed forces and intelligence he had worked with since 2016, as well as the government's response to Russia's war against Ukraine.

"The Ministry of Defence is back on the path to being once again world class with world class people. The United Kingdom is respected around the world for our armed forces and that respect has only grown more since the war in Ukraine," he wrote.

Wallace thanked the Prime Minister for his friendship and added: "You and the government will have my support."

Sunak accepted Wallace's resignation. He praised the minister's success in office and his "strategic foresight and clarity."

"The dedication and skill with which you have discharged your responsibilities as Secretary of State for Defence has been typical of your belief in public service and deep commitment to the armed forces and security of the UK. You leave the Ministry of Defence and the Armed forces well placed to face the future... You leave office with my thanks and respect," the Prime Minister said.

When asked what he would do next, Wallace said: "I'm very excited to go work in a bar or just do something completely different." He noted that he was tired of politics, which he has been involved in since 1999.

Later, Sunak said that Grant Shapps had been appointed to the post of UK defence secretary instead of Ben Wallace.
The media reported that Wallace might resign in mid-July.

• On July 12, Wallace responded to Zelenskyy's criticism of Ukraine's failure to invite him to join NATO. He said that his country was not an Amazon online store, so it could not give Ukraine all the weapons it needed from its stockpile.

• Later, Wallace said that his words were distorted. He called the relationship between the UK and Ukraine a partnership.