MPs and military chiefs question ‘yes man’ Shapps as new defence secretary - UK politics live

Former military chiefs and opposition MPs have questioned the suitability of “yes man” Grant Shapps for his new role as defence secretary.

Mr Shapps, the former energy secretary, was Rishi Sunak’s surprise choice to replace Ben Wallace this morning as the prime minister carried out a mini cabinet reshuffle.

Sir Richard Dannatt, the former head of the Armed Forces, expressed his concern that Mr Shapps had been given the job to “support” Mr Sunak rather than “make the case” for defence budgets.

He also suggested it would take Mr Shapps “some time” to get up to speed with the defence brief, which he knows “very little” about.

Claire Coutinho, a former education minister, replaced Mr Shapps in a major promotion for the East Surrey MP. A close ally of Mr Sunak who previously worked as his adviser, the 38-year-old is the first MP from the 2019 intake to join cabinet.

Key Points

• Former Army chief questions Shapps’s suitability for defence brief

• Claire Coutinho confirmed as energy secretary, replacing Shapps

• Grant Shapps confirmed as defence secretary

• MoD officials did not want Shapps, claims senior Tory

Labour’s East Leicester branch suspended

Thursday 31 August 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

Labour has reportedly suspended an entire constituency branch over concerns about how it is operating.

Leicester East has been suspended while party officials look into its practices and procedures, according to the BBC’s local democracy reporting service.

Branch and constituency meetings will be stopped “until further notice” and all officers have been "relieved of their positions and duties".

A Labour Party source said: “The NEC has a duty to safeguard the integrity of CLPs, to ensure that they are properly run in line with the party’s rules and procedures and can operate fully, inclusively and democratically.”

It was not clear if any specific incident had caused the suspension. Labour’s Leicester operation was in headlines earlier this year over the deselection of candidates ahead of May’s local elections.

Claudia Webbe, the Leicester East MP, was last year found guilty of harassment and expelled from the party.

Shapps was not interested in ‘serious’ energy and climate policy - campaign group

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:45 , Matt Mathers

Grant Shapps was more concerned about “playing childish politics on social media” than “serious” energy and climate policy, campaigners have claimed.

Friends of the Earth (FOE) said it was “good riddance” that Mr Shapps had left his post to become defence secretary.

Dave Timms, FOE head of political affairs, said: said in a statement: “Good riddance to Grant Shapps. He seemed to be more concerned with playing childish politics on social media than the serious policies needed to address the greatest challenge of our time.

“He has promoted new drilling for oil and gas against the advice of his own climate advisors, allowed speculation about whether vital deadlines for the transition to electric vehicles and heat pumps would be stuck to, and failed to invest in home insulation.

“The country needs a serious secretary of state that will step up to give the certainty and support that businesses and people need to invest in the changes that will cut both emissions and the cost of living.

“We hope Claire Coutinho will be that person.”

Shapps only there because he won’t ‘rock the boat’

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:35 , Matt Mathers

Admiral Lord West – the former chief of UK naval staff – has said he fears Mr Sunak had put his “great mate” Mr Shapps in the job not to “rock the boat” in pre-election budgets, Adam Forrest reports.

The former defence minister told The Independent: “It’s a surprising appointment. He’s obviously great mates with Sunak. I fear he is putting him in so he will not create any waves by demanding extra money for defence, which is very much needed.

“|I think it was designed to get someone who won’t rock the boat or upset the apple cart, particularly with an election coming next year.”

Lord West added: “Will Grant Shapps fight that corner? I have my doubts about that. He doesn’t have a particularly brilliant background in defence. That’s my worry. He can talk the talk, but it’s important … he realises how bad our military has been hollowed out.”

I’ll reduce bills and build cleaner energy - Coutinho

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:25 , Matt Mathers

New energy secretary Claire Coutinho has vowed to “reduce bills for families” and build cleaner power in the UK.

Ms Coutinho said she was “delighted” to take on her new job after replacing Grant Shapps in this morning’s mini cabinet reshuffle.

“I will work with the Prime Minister to safeguard our energy security, reduce bills for families, and build cleaner, cheaper, homegrown energy,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Sixth energy secretary higlights ‘failures of Tory policy’ - Labour

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:15 , Matt Mathers

The appointment of a sixth energy secretary since 2019 highlights the government’s “failure of policy”, a Labour front bencher has said.

Ed Miliband, the shadow climate secretary, congratulated Ms Coutinho on her new job but questioned whether the government can deliver the energy policy the country needs.

“I congratulate Claire Coutinho on her appointment as energy secretary,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“But it speaks volumes about the failures of Tory policy that we are now onto the 6th Secretary of State since 2019.

“Reshuffling of the deckchairs will not deliver the proper energy policy Britain needs.”

Pimlico Plummers founder suspended from X after posting ‘someone should kill’ Sadiq Khan

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:57 , Matt Mathers

The founder of Pimlico Plummers has had his X account suspended after posting “someone should kill” London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Charlie Mullins made the comment during a conversation with another user on the social media platform as they criticised the expansion of Ulez.

Mr Mullins later apologised “unreservedly”, telling Talk TV his comments had gone “too far”.

Shapps will have to leave Tik Tok, says senior Tory

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:46 , Matt Mathers

Tobias Ellwood predicted that new defence secretary Grant Shapps – a frequent user of social media app TikTok – will likely come out of his first Ministry of Defence briefing with fewer apps on his phone.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, he said: “He’ll be getting the mother of all briefings when he walks into the MoD. I suspect he might have his phone, not taken away from him, but certainly he’ll come out with less apps on his phone than when he walks in."

But the chair of the defence select committee – who stressed he was speaking in a personal capacity – backed Shapps to succeed. “He’s a very competent and capable minister. He understands the Whitehall machine. He’s actually one of the best communicators that is in the Cabinet at the moment.”

Senior Tory urges Shapps to use ‘powers of persuasion’ with Treasury

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:25 , Matt Mathers

Senior Tory MP Julian Lewis, former chair of the defence select committee, has encouraged Mr Shapps to push the Treasury for as much money as possible to reverse a relative decline in spending, Adam Forrest reports.

“Defence expenditure under successive governments decline in comparison with other priorities, he told The Independent. “The new defence secretary should use all his powers of persuasion to build on the foundations laid by Ben Wallace in light of the considerable threats we face.”

Fellow Tory MP Jason McCartney – who severed as a flight lieutenant in the RAF – backed Mr Shapps in the role. “I welcome Grant’s appointment as he pledged to continue the UK’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s barbaric invasion,” he told The Independent.

Mr McCartney said he had been “impressed by his knowledge and commitment to the Ukrainian people”, adding: “He’s a really good operator and a shrewd appointment.”

Sunak has appointed ‘yes man’ in Shapps, say Lib Dems

Thursday 31 August 2023 13:49 , Matt Mathers

The Liberal Democrats said Rishi Sunak had appointed a “yes man” in a crucial role – and pointed out that Grant Shapps had said in his failed Conservative leadership campaign that he thought our armed forces should be strengthened, Adam Forrest reports.

The party’s defence spokesperson Richard Foord said: “At a time when the armed forces need someone to stand up for them, Rishi Sunak has appointed a yes-man.

“This is Shapps’ fifth cabinet role in less than a year. The Conservative government merry-go-round has to stop.”

‘Will he really understand?’ Former Army chief questions Shapps appointment

Thursday 31 August 2023 13:32 , Matt Mathers

Sir Richard Dannatt, the former head of the Armed Forces, expressed his concern that Grant Shapps had been given the job to “support” Mr Sunak rather than “make the case” for defence budgets, Adam Forrest reports.

Lord Dannatt told Sky News: “Will he really understand and make the case for defence ... or will he be more political and support the prime minister for party political purposes? Ben Wallace was arguing for [defence investment]. Is that discussion going to continue? Or will Grant Shapps choose to go quietly?”

He also said Mr Shapps knows “very little about defence” and it will take him “quite some time to get up to speed”. Sir Richard added: “I think there is a risk that certainly the debate on resources for defence stagnates, at least until Grant Shapps can get his head around his portfolio.”

Ben Wallace for I’m a Celeb?

Thursday 31 August 2023 13:21 , Adam Forrest

One leading bookmaker has slashed their odds to 2-1 (from 12-1) on Ben Wallace being a contestant on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2023, following his resignation from the cabinet.

“After the success Matt Hancock had on I’m A Celeb last year, we think former defence secretary Ben Wallace could be the latest high-profile politician to enter the ITV show Down Under, and we have slashed his odds to be a camp member in the upcoming series,” said Coral’s John Hill.

MoD officials did not want Shapps, claims senior Tory

Thursday 31 August 2023 13:15 , Adam Forrest

Tory MP Mark Francois – a former armed forces minister – has said many people at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) did not want Grant Shapps to get the job.

He said Mr Shapps faces “a very steep learning curve” and had several “really tough issues” to manage – including Ukraine, Nato commitments, defence procurement and service families’ accommodation.

“Ben Wallace is going to be an incredibly tough act to follow. And I think, to put it mildly, because it’s such a complex department, this is going to be a very steep learning curve for Grant Shapps,” he told GB News.

“Many people in the building wanted James [Heappey] to get the job. He hasn’t,” said Mr Francois. He added: “Grant Shapps is a bright bloke, but he’s going to have to come up with the speed very, very quickly.”

Claire Coutinho – rising Tory star who is Sunak’s mirror image

Thursday 31 August 2023 13:00 , Adam Forrest

Claire Coutinho has been thrust into the spotlight after winning one of the top jobs in government. It marks a major step up for the little-known Rishi Sunak ally, who has only been in parliament since 2019 and has held junior ministerial roles for less than a year.

The 38-year-old – a loyal supporter of the PM who regularly took to the airwaves on his behalf during last summer’s leadership contest – has a similar background to Mr Sunak.

Like the PM, she is the child of Indian emigrees. While Mr Sunak’s mother ran a pharmacist, Ms Coutinho’s parents are both doctors who came to the UK in the 1970s.

Like Mr Sunak, the bright high-flyer was privately educated (at James Allen’s Girls School) and went on to study both Maths and Philosophy at Oxford University.

And like Mr Sunak Ms Coutinho worked in finance – beginning her career at Merrill Lynch before moving on to KMPG, before leaving the City and joining Iain Duncan Smith’s Centre for Social Justice.

Claire Coutinho – rising Tory star who is Sunak’s mirror image gets top job

RSPB apologises for calling Tories ‘liars’ over green promises

Thursday 31 August 2023 12:45 , Matt Mathers

The RSPB has apologised for calling Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and other Tory ministers “liars” over plans to scrap water pollution restrictions on housebuilding.

The conservation charity said sorry for attacking the senior politicians personally over the latest post-Brexit regulatory move – having posted the claims on X, formally known Twitter.

The organisation had written that ministers “said you wouldn’t weaken environmental protections”, before adding: “And yet that’s just what you are doing. You lie, and you lie, and you lie again.”

RSPB apologises for calling Tories ‘liars’ over green promises

Nadine Dorries book on downfall of Johnson delayed for over a month

Thursday 31 August 2023 12:25 , Matt Mathers

Nadine Dorries’s book on the downfall of former prime minister Boris Johnson will be delayed by over a month due to "the huge volume of material the author has consulted", publisher HarperCollins has said.

The former MP’s book, titled The Plot: The Political Assassination Of Boris Johnson, had been scheduled for release on 28 September, just before the Conservative Party conference.

It will now be released on 9 November.

Ms Dorries, one of Mr Johnson’s most loyal allies, has been an outspoken critic of Mr Sunak and has been accused of timing her resignation to inflict maximum damage on the PM.

She announced she would quit months ago but finally confirmed her departure on Sunday. It means the byelection in her Mid Bedfordshire constituency will be held at the end of September or start of October.

The Tory Party conference will take place from 1-4 October.

Tory special advisers responsible for MoJ breaking law on FOI request - report

Thursday 31 August 2023 12:10 , Matt Mathers

Conservative Party special advisers were reportedly responsible for the Ministry of Justice blocking a freedom of information (FOI) request in what amounted to a  breach of the law.

The advisers told ministry transparency officials last year not to release submissions made about the department’s now defunct plans for a British bill of rights, The Times reports.

They subsequently refused to sign off the disclosure for months, causing the department to breach its statutory duties to respond to the request in a reasonable time, the paper said.

The law states that public bodies should respond to FOI requests within 20 working days.

The legislation was dropped after Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, was forced to resign amid a slew of bullying allegations against him.

ICYMI: Tories allowing fly-tippers to escape justice, says Labour

Thursday 31 August 2023 11:56 , Matt Mathers

Labour has accused the government of turning a blind eye to the problem of fly-tipping, claiming that only 8 per cent of reported incidents lead to any form of punishment.

In the fiscal year 2021/22, 1,091,019 cases of fly-tipping were reported in England, yet only 91,013 fixed penalty notices were issued, as per the Labour analysis based on data from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

This means 92 per cent of those responsible for illegal waste dumping have avoided punishment.

Martina Bet reports:

Tories allowing fly-tippers to escape justice, says Labour

Sunak ‘giving jobs to his friends’ - Labour

Thursday 31 August 2023 11:36 , Matt Mathers

A shadow minister has accused Rishi Sunak of “giving jobs to his friends” as she claimed the government was still a “sinking ship” despite the prime minister’s cabinet reshuffle.

"It really doesn’t matter how many new jobs Rishi Sunak gives to his friends,”Emily Thornberry, Labour’s attorney general, told broadcasters in Westminster.

"It’s still just moving the deckchairs. They’re still a sinking ship."

She also said Grant Shapps was a "talented politician" and hopes he listens to the "experts” in the Ministry of Defence.

"I think that Grant Shapps is a talented politician, I wish him well, and I hope he listens to the advice of the experts who will be in the MoD," she told broadcasters.

James Cleverly pays tribute to outgoing defence secretary

Thursday 31 August 2023 11:05 , Matt Mathers

The foreign secretary has paid tribute to Ben Wallace, describing him as a "rock solid figure for our country".

James Cleverly wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Ben, you’ve been a rock solid figure for our country, our party and for the Ukrainian people.

"You’ve defined what it means to serve your country. Thank you."

David Johnston replaces Coutinho

Thursday 31 August 2023 10:50 , Matt Mathers

Tory MP David Johnston has been appointed parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Education, replacing a promoted Claire Coutinho.

Mr Johnston, who was first elected in December 2019 and represents Wantage, takes on the vacated role in Rishi Sunak’s mini-reshuffle.

Breaking: Claire Coutinho confirmed as energy secretary

Thursday 31 August 2023 10:30 , Matt Mathers

Claire Countiho has been confirmed as the new energy secretary as Rishi Sunak carries out a mini-reshuffled.

Ms Coutinho, outgoing education minister, replaces Grant Shapps, who took over from Ben Wallace who resigned as defence secretary.

Shapps visited Ukraine last week

Thursday 31 August 2023 10:25 , Matt Mathers

With no experience in the military or department, the appointment of Grant Shapps as defence secretary may have come as a surprise to many.

But it appears the former energy secretary may have already started building relationships in Ukraine, which will be at the top of his in-tray when he starts at his latest government department.

He visited Kyiv last week. “What I saw in Kyiv… was a people resolute in their defiance against Putin’s tyranny and Russia’s aggression,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“And a nation standing strong and powering ahead in spite of constant attacks.”

Mr Shapps’s visit was an official trip as the energy secretary and he met with “senior government ministers” and energy company leaders.

‘A personal toll to me and my family’: Read Ben Wallace’s resignation letter in full

Thursday 31 August 2023 10:15 , Matt Mathers

Ben Wallace has officially resigned as defence secretary having spent four years in the role, overseeing the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan and the UK’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

In a letter to prime minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday morning, Mr Wallace said it had been an “honour” to serve alongside colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and thanked the prime minister for his leadership.

You can read his resignation in letter in full below:

‘A personal toll to me and my family’: Read Ben Wallace’s resignation letter in full

Shapps ‘honoured’ to become defence secretary

Thursday 31 August 2023 10:05 , Matt Mathers

Grant Shapps has said he’s “honoured” to become defence secretary after replacing Ben Wallace.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution Ben Wallace has made to UK defence & global security over the last 4 years,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Shapps has never held a role in the Ministry of Defence before but is taking on his fifth role in the cabinet in the last year by becoming its secretary of state.

Who will replace Shapps as energy secretary?

Thursday 31 August 2023 09:54 , Matt Mathers

Prime minister Rishi Sunak will now need to find a new energy secretary, after replacing defence secretary Ben Wallace with Grant Shapps.

Claire Coutinho, the education minister, was seen entering No 10 this morning after Mr Shapps, the former energy secretary was confirmed in the defence brief.

Ms Coutinho is considered a rising star in the Conservative Party, having entered the ministerial ranks just a few years after getting elected to parliament in 2019.

Grant Shapps confirmed as defence secretary

Thursday 31 August 2023 09:44 , Matt Mathers

Grant Shapps has been confirmed as the new defence secretary, replacing Ben Wallace.

Mr Shapps was seen entering No 10 Downing Street earlier this morning and was among those tipped overnight to replace the outgoing Mr Wallace.

Adam Forrest has more details below:

Grant Shapps replaces Ben Wallace as defence secretary in mini-reshuffle

Wallace urges Sunak not to ‘hollow out’ defence budget

Thursday 31 August 2023 09:31 , Matt Mathers

Ben Wallace has now left the stage – but he had a familiar parting message for Rishi Sunak on defence spending, Adam Forrest reports.

“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,” he said in his letter.

Warning the PM not to cut the budget, Mr Wallace added: “I genuinely believe that over the next decade the world will get more insecure and more unstable. We both share the belief that now is the time to invest.”

Grant Shapps pictured entering No 10

Thursday 31 August 2023 09:15 , Matt Mathers

Grant Shapps has been pictured entering No 10 Downing Street after Ben Wallace officially resigned as defence secretary.

Mr Shapps, the energy secretary, is among those tipped to replace the outgoing Mr Wallace. According to the Daily Telegraph he will be confirmed as the new defence secretary later today.

Mr Shapps has previously served in the business, transport and international development departments. You can also watch Mr Shapps entering Downing Street in the clip below.

When did Wallace announce he was quitting politics?

Thursday 31 August 2023 09:10 , Matt Mathers

Ben Wallace first revealed that he would stand down at the next election in an interview published on 15 July.

It came after the PM distanced himself from Wallace’s comments on Ukraine, when he said the war-torn country was treating its Western allies like “Amazon” over its demands for more weapons to fight Russia,

Government sources later briefed newspapers that they thought Mr Wallace’s time was up as defence secretary and that he would move on at the next reshuffle.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Wallace, an ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, said “I’m not standing next time.” He confirmed he would not leave “prematurely” and force a by-election.

Wallace: An ‘honour’ to serve alongside MoD colleages

Thursday 31 August 2023 08:58 , Matt Mathers

In his resignation letter to Mr Sunak, Mr Wallace also referenced his time as security minister where he was involved in the UK’s response to the Salisbury poisonings.

He says it has been an “honour” to serve alongside Armed Forces colleagues, adding their professionalism throughout the past four years had been “first class”.

Wallace thanks the PM for his investment and continued support of the ministry of defence and thanks Mr Sunak for his leadership.

“As I finish my tenure, I can reflect that the Ministry of Defence that I leave is now more modern, better funded and more confident than the organisation I took over in 2019,” he adds.

“As well as being active around the world we have also invested in prosperity at home. I am proud that I have secured GCAP, AUKUS, NCF, National shipbuilding and the Defence and Security industrial strategies that will secure thousands of British jobs for our young people many years into the future.

“The Ministry of Defence is back on the path to being once again world class with world class people. The United Kingdom is respected around the world.”

Breaking: Ben Wallace officially resigns

Thursday 31 August 2023 08:41 , Matt Mathers

Ben Wallace has officially resigned as defence secretary.

In a letter to the prime minister, Mr Wallace said it had been a “privilege” to serve Mr Sunak and his predecessors.

More follows...

Runners and riders to replace Wallace

Thursday 31 August 2023 08:34 , Matt Mathers

After weeks of speculation over who might replace Mr Wallace, the BBC and multiple newspapers are reporting the prime minister will on Thursday appoint a new defence secretary.

Armed forces minister James Heappey and chief secretary to the Treasury John Glen have both been linked with the role.

The Daily Telegraph also suggested former defence secretary Liam Fox is a possibility.

Dr Fox, who served in the role under prime minister David Cameron between 2010 and 2011, was forced to resign after allowing his friend and best man Adam Werritty to take on an unofficial and undeclared role as his adviser.

The senior Tory MP backed Mr Sunak in last summer’s Conservative leadership race.

Adam Forrest takes a closer look at the favourites to replace Mr Wallace:

Favourites to replace Ben Wallace as PM set to name defence secretary

Thursday 31 August 2023 08:27 , Matt Mathers

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live politics coverage.

Ben Wallace is expected to be replaced as defence secretary - we’ll be covering this story and others from Westminster and elsewhere.

Stay tuned for all the latest updates.