Ben Wallace is resigning as an MP on the subsequent election (Image: EPA)
UK defence secretary Ben Wallace has introduced he’s stepping down as an MP on the subsequent election.
Mr Wallace, the longest-serving conservative defence minister, informed the Instances ‘I’m not standing subsequent time.’
‘I went into politics within the Scottish parliament in 1999. That’s 24 years. I’ve spent effectively over seven years with three telephones by my mattress. What are they for? Secret, secret and secret.’
However the MP additionally dominated out stepping down ‘prematurely’ and triggering a by-election.
Mr Wallace is the longest-serving conservative minister to carry the place (Image: Shutterstock)
Mr Wallace additionally confirmed he would go away the cupboard on the subsequent reshuffle, which is anticipated to be held this autumn.
He says he initially needed to go away his submit in the summertime, however was persuded to not with a view to keep away from contributing to the narrative of Tory decline.
Mr Wallace, who survived three prime ministers as Defence Secretary, performed a key function within the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was an in depth ally of Boris Johnson.
His Wyre and Preston North constituency will disappear on the subsequent election after boundary modifications and he mentioned he wouldn’t search a brand new seat.
His announcement comes following an argument earlier this week when the minister suggested Kyiv to ‘present extra gratitude’ to its western allies for supplying them with weapons to struggle Russia.
The defence secretary bemoaned travelling to Ukraine final 12 months solely to be introduced with a purchasing listing of weapons.
‘You understand, we’re not Amazon,’ he mentioned. ‘I informed them that final 12 months, after I drove 11 hours to be given an inventory.’
His remarks had been swiftly rebuked by Rishi Sunak, who distanced himself from the feedback and informed reporters at a Nato summit in Lithuania that Ukrainian president Zelensky had ‘expressed his gratitude for what we’ve executed on a lot of events’.
Hypothesis concerning the defence secretary’s destiny has been mounting for weeks, with officers contained in the Ministry of Defence questioning who may exchange him.
Widespread throughout the Tory social gathering, Mr Wallace is the longest repeatedly serving minister in Authorities, having been safety minister below Theresa Might earlier than being promoted to Defence Secretary by Mr Johnson.
He was beforehand appointed as a whip in 2014 and a junior minister within the Northern Eire Workplace in 2015 whereas David Cameron was prime minister.
Mr Wallace dominated himself out of the working for the Conservative management final 12 months, regardless of being an early frontrunner within the race to exchange Mr Johnson.
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