Defence Secretary calls out 'rubbish and untrue' stories in the media
The Defence Secretary has hit back at what he called "really rubbish and untrue stories in the media" last week with a series of tweets, saying "sensationalism is trumping truth every time".
Reiterating comments he made earlier, as he addressed speculation that General Sir Patrick Sanders is being forced to stand down as Chief of the General Staff, Ben Wallace explained that he had only been appointed to the position for two years as he had already served three years as a four-star Strategic Command head.
Mr Wallace added in a tweet: "Like all organisations, the MOD has to manage talent and General Patrick was already one of the current longest-serving... General Sir Patrick is not being forced out, nor has he quit."
Regarding the story of Colonel Dr Kevin Wright, who claimed he was forced to quit the Army after being criticised for saying that "men cannot be women", Mr Wallace responded that the investigation "stemmed from Army social media policy and had nothing to do with his views".
He tweeted: "Col Dr Wright was NOT forced out of the Army. His views are NOT contrary to Army policy... He was encouraged to stay."
Finally, addressing the story of the military families living at a former air base in Essex who reportedly were only given one week's notice to move before the site was turned into accommodation for asylum seekers, the Defence Secretary said: "Service families at Wethersfield were first contacted end Feb 2023, this was followed up in March.
"Since then there have been four 'in-person' consultation meetings and numerous emails sent.
"The site has long been earmarked for disposal," he added.
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