British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed his shut ally Grant Shapps as defence secretary on Thursday in a mini-reshuffle, after Ben Wallace tendered his resignation from the publish.
Shapps can be taking his fifth cupboard place in simply 12 months, the latest being power secretary.
Extensively perceived as a protected alternative for the Conservative prime minister, the brand new defence secretary mentioned he was “trying ahead to working with the courageous women and men of our Armed Forces.” He recognized supporting Ukraine and opposing Russia as a precedence.
Sunak’s decide had confronted criticism from the opposition. Liberal Democrat Richard Foord branded him a “yes-man” and urged the Tories to cease the “merry-go-round” of appointments.
Shapps, a Conservative member of parliament since 2005, has served within the cupboards of 4 out of 5 of the final Conservative prime ministers.
Beneath David Cameron, he was co-chair of the Conservative Get together and a minister with out portfolio, earlier than being appointed minister of state within the Division for Worldwide Growth, which was described by the press on the time as a demotion.
Shapps was appointed transport secretary by Boris Johnson in 2019, having helped to carry down Theresa Might. He retained that publish till September final 12 months, earlier than making a bid for the celebration management after Johnson resigned in July 2022, however later backed Sunak’s then-unsuccessful candidacy.
Through the temporary premiership of Liz Truss, Shapps served as dwelling secretary for a mere six days as she tried to salvage her authorities. Beneath Sunak, Shapps served as enterprise secretary, then power secretary, after the portfolio was cut up, earlier than his present appointment as defence secretary.
In January, Shapps was caught up in a minor controversy, when his social media account printed a picture of him visiting Spaceport Cornwall in 2021. The unique picture included then-PM Johnson, however within the model shared by Shapps’ account, he had been edited out.
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