Ben Wallace to stay as Defence Secretary

Ben Wallace will remain as Defence Secretary, Downing Street has confirmed, as new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reshuffles his cabinet.

First appointed to the role in July 2019, Mr Wallace retained his post in Liz Truss's government and is one of the few Cabinet secretaries to remain in position under Boris Johnson, Ms Truss and now Mr Sunak.

Mr Wallace said on Twitter: "It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead Defence again. I am very grateful to the new Prime Minister for appointing me, and I look forward to working with Rishi Sunak to deliver a safe and prosperous United Kingdom."

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The Defence Secretary has regularly called for an increase in defence spending during his time in the post.

Former PM Ms Truss pledged to increase defence spending to 3% by 2030 – reports have suggested Mr Wallace could quit if this was reversed.

Mr Sunak, who officially became the UK's Prime Minister on Tuesday morning after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, has yet to make any further assurances.

On Monday, European Research Group chairman and Tory MP Mark Francois told reporters in Parliament that after speaking to Mr Sunak and his at-the-time Conservative leadership rival, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, the new PM did not commit to the 3% target "but said he was determined... that he would spend whatever was necessary to keep the country safe".