Grant Shapps is the new UK Secretary of State for Defence

Former Secretary of State for Energy and Carbon Neutrality Grant Shapps has been appointed the new UK Defence Secretary. This follows the dismissal of his predecessor, Ben Wallace.

This was announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Grant Shepps previously served as Secretary of State for Transport, Home Secretary, and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. 

"As I get to work at the Ministry of Defence, I look forward to working with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who defend our nation’s security. And continuing the UK’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s barbaric invasion.

Grant Shepps, in his capacity as Energy Secretary, visited Ukraine last week, posting a video of the visit on 25 August. He wrote, "What I saw in Kyiv this week was a people resolute in their defiance against Putin’s tyranny and Russia’s aggression."

In the spring of 2022, Grant Shepps reported that he had hosted a family of Ukrainian refugees who had fled the country because of Russia's attack. At the time, he stressed that the UK "stands resolutely with the people of Ukraine".

It will be recalled that on August 31, the head of the UK Ministry of Defence, Ben Wallace, announced his resignation. Wallace explained his decision by saying that he was tired of both politics and public service. 

In response to the resignation, Rishi Sunak wrote that Wallace had "served the country with distinction", praising his "strategic foresight and clarity". Sunak said he understood Wallace's decision to step down after eight years as minister.