Cabinet reshuffle latest: Grant Shapps appointment ‘ruffles feathers’ – as successor for his old job confirmed
Sky News says The appointment of military novice Grant Shapps as defence secretary is a risky move by the prime minister at a time of war in Europe and major funding challenges for the armed forces.
A senior Whitehall source said the choice suggests Rishi Sunak favours appearance over substance, placing a strong communicator into one of the most important jobs in government instead of a candidate with more relevant subject-matter experience.
Other names that had been mentioned as possible contenders to replace Ben Wallace included foreign office minister Anne Marie Trevelyan, a former defence minister, or security minister Tom Tugendhat, who previously served as a reservist.
“So depressing,” the source said.
A second source added: “Grant’s solid but not a military warrior!”
There will be relief within the Ministry of Defence that at least Mr Shapps is an experienced cabinet minister rather than a more junior politician.
However, there will also be concern at the arrival of someone with no prior knowledge of defence and no time to get to grips with his new brief.
At the top of his in-tray will be the UK response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
