DOWNING Street has confirmed that Grant Shapps has replaced Ben Wallace as Defence Secretary.

The MP for Welwyn Hatfield has already held a number of key positions, including as the secretary of state for transport, energy and business.

He also served as home secretary for less than a week following the resignation and reappointment of Suella Braverman.

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In his resignation letter, Wallace (below) said: “The Ministry of Defence is back on the path to being once again world class with world class people.

The National: Ben Wallace has said he will quit the Cabinet and not seek re-election at the next general election (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“The United Kingdom is respected around the world for our armed forces and that respect has only grown more since the war in Ukraine.

“I know you agree with me that we must not return to the days where defence was viewed as a discretionary spend by government and savings were achieved by hollowing out.”

Wallace announced last month he would resign from the senior Cabinet role, bringing an end to his four years in the job.

Sunak said he left office with “thanks and respect” having served under three prime ministers in the position.