Ben Wallace resigns as defence secretary – learn his letter in full

Ben Wallace has resigned as defence secretary forward of an anticipated reshuffle from the prime minister.

Mr Wallace had mentioned he would resign from the function 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 process of defending this nice nation and holding its residents protected.

As that duty carries with it a 24/7 obligation to be out there at virtually 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 individuals has been first-class.

The funding you made in defence as chancellor and the continued assist you will have 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 replicate that the Ministry of Defence that I go away is now extra trendy, higher funded and extra assured than the organisation I took over in 2019.

As properly as being lively around the globe we’ve 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 1000’s of British jobs for our younger individuals a few years into the long run.

The Ministry of Defence is again on the trail to being as soon as once more world class with world class individuals. The United Kingdom is revered around the globe for our Armed Forces and that respect has solely grown extra because the conflict in Ukraine.

I do know you agree with me that we should not return to the times the place defence was seen as a discretionary spend by authorities and financial savings had been achieved by hollowing out. I genuinely consider that over the following decade the world will get extra insecure and extra unstable. We each share the idea 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 put money into the elements of life that I’ve uncared for, and to discover new alternatives.

Thank you for the assist and your friendship. You and the federal government could have my continued assist.