Ben Wallace confirms his resignation as British Defense Minister

2023-08-31 12:03:59

Ben Wallace has confirmed his resignation as defense minister of the United Kingdom, in a letter addressed to the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, released this Thursday by his social networks.

Wallace, a central figure in facing the war in Ukraine, He had communicated a few weeks ago his intention to leave the Government this September and also his decision not run again as deputy in the next general elections, scheduled for 2024, as a result of the controversy over some statements in which called on Ukraine to “show gratitude” to those who support it during the Russian invasion.

In the letter, Wallace notes that the Ministry of Defense is on its way to being “world class” again, noting that the UK is “respected around the world” for its armed forces.

The conservative prime minister is expected to name the replacement this Thursday by Wallace.

“I have had the privilege of serving you and your predecessors in the task of protecting this great country and keeping its citizens safe,” Wallace writes in the letter, which specifies that he was defense minister for four years and was part of the administrations of various prime ministers.

It also mentions that he had to deal with various incidents, such as the fall of Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban or the war in Ukraineand points out that it was “an honor” to be able to work for “the men and women of our armed forces.”

“At the end of my term, I can consider that the Ministry of Defense that I am leaving is now more modern, it is better financed and it is a more secure organization than the one I took over in 2019,” he adds.

Sunak responded with another letter to Wallace, praising his “untiring service” to the UK, as well as his “strategic vision and farsightedness”, which have been “invaluable”.

“In the most difficult situations, you showed exceptional judgment,” stressed the prime minister, who assured that he “fully understands his desire to resign after eight years of ministerial work.”