Shapps becomes UK defence minister with vow to keep up support for
Ukraine
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[August 31, 2023]
By Elizabeth Piper and Andrew MacAskill
LONDON (Reuters) -Former energy minister Grant Shapps replaced Ben
Wallace on Thursday as Britain's defence minister, a surprise move that
reaffirmed London's support for Ukraine while raising questions over his
lack of experience of the military.
Shoring up his team before a national election expected next year and
after Wallace resigned, Sunak will likely deploy Shapps' talent for
media communication in his efforts to overturn opposition Labour's lead
in the opinion polls.
"I am looking 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,"
Shapps said on X after his appointment was announced by the government.
Britain, a key defence supplier for Ukraine, is trying to increase its
production of weaponry, particularly artillery shells, to try to help
Kyiv push back Russian forces and replenish its own stockpiles.
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Moscow has condemned Britain's military help to Ukraine, saying it is
only extending the conflict.
Several lawmakers in the governing Conservative Party expressed surprise
over the appointment of Shapps, questioning his experience in military
affairs.
Seen as a safe pair of hands with a penchant for using spreadsheets in
his work, Shapps, 54, visited Kyiv earlier this month, announcing export
finance guarantees.
He also visited the kindergarten once attended by the young son of the
family he hosted after they fled the invasion.
Shapps, who says his Jewish relatives were chased out of Latvia, Poland
and Russia several generations ago, described hearing about his
Ukrainian guests' experience as "sobering".
It will be his fifth job in a year, after serving as the minister for
transport, interior affairs, business and then at energy and net zero,
where he was replaced on Thursday by former children's minister Claire
Coutinho.
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![](../images/083123PIX/news_x22.jpg)
Grant Shapps leaves 10 Downing Street
after being confirmed as Britain's new defence secretary in London,
Britain, August 31, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
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Last month, Shapps joked to journalists about his role as the face
as the government's 'crisis communications', saying a junior
official told him: "there isn't anybody in the entire world who
would want to be in your shoes right now" when he had to defend a
former adviser over breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Wallace confirmed his resignation as defence minister in a letter to
Sunak, offering the government his continued support while warning
the British prime minister not to see defence as a "discretionary
spend".
A former captain in the British army who helped lead Britain's
response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said last month he wanted
to step down after four years in the role and pursue other
opportunities outside parliament.
At a NATO summit last month, he said Ukraine needed to show
gratitude and not treat its allies like "Amazon". He later said his
comments "were somewhat misrepresented" and he wanted to emphasize
that London's relationship with Kyiv was not transactional but more
of a partnership.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov thanked Wallace on
Thursday for his "energy and dedication", saying on X: "His
authority has inspired other countries to join in assisting
Ukraine."
Sunak also praised Wallace and said he understood his decision to
step down after eight years as a minister.
(Additional reporting by Muvija M and Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by
Kate Holton, Alex Richardson and Philippa Fletcher)
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