Rishi Sunak is poised to reshuffle his top team to replace outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
Mr Wallace, who had been repeatedly tipped as a future Tory leader, confirmed this morning that he would quit his post, saying the Ministry of Defence is "back on the path to being once again world class''. He announced last month that he planned to quit at the next Cabinet shake-up. and will also step down as an MP at the election.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the ex-Army captain said it had been a privilege to serve but his dedication to his military career and heading up the MOD "comes at a personal toll to me and my family". He delivered a parting shot over funding for the armed forces, saying: "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."
Mr Sunak said Mr Wallace leaves office with his "thanks and respect", praising his handling of the UK's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He said the top Tory had "more to offer to public life, both here and internationally".
The Prime Minister is gearing up to replace Mr Wallace today, as he desperately battles to reset his flagging administration before Parliament returns next week. However plans for a wider Cabinet reshuffle appear to have been kicked down the road.
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Ben Wallace's resignation letter to the Prime Minister
Ben Wallace's resignation letter to the Prime MinisterNames in the frame to replace Mr Wallace include a string of Sunak loyalists, including Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey and Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin. Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, who recently made a trip to Ukraine, has also been tipped for the role.
Ex-Defence Secretary Liam Fox is also in the running, according to the Daily Telegraph. Dr Fox backed the PM in last year's leadership contest against Liz Truss but has so far not been rewarded with a Government job. However his appointment would raise eyebrows as he was forced to resign from the role in 2011 after questions about access to the Ministry of Defence granted to his friend Adam Werrity.
Mr Werrity had accompanied him on a string of foreign trips and handed out business cards describing himself as an adviser - despite having no official role. In a letter to the-then Prime Minister David Cameron at the time, Dr Fox admitted he had "mistakenly" allowed the line between his personal interest and Government activities to become "blurred".
Mr Sunak had been eyeing a reshuffle of his ministers as Westminster gears up for the next election, which is expected next year. He had been expected to act before the pivotal party conference season in October but now appears to be holding fire, triggering grumblings among Tory MPs.
Mr Wallace, who served as Defence Secretary under three PMs, is popular among Tory members, particularly over his response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But the Boris Johnson ally ruled himself out of running to be Tory leader last year.
Mr Johnson paid tribute to his long time ally, while praised the choice of Energy Secretary Grant Shapps to replace him. He tweeted: "Sad to see departure of my friend Ben Wallace. A fine Defence Secretary who got so many calls right - especially on Ukraine. Grant Shapps is an excellent choice to succeed him."
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