Prime Minister to appoint senior Royal Marines officer as national security adviser

Rishi Sunak has said he will appoint a senior Royal Marines officer as his new national security adviser.

The Prime Minister said General Gwyn Jenkins has the "requisite set of skills" to provide him with national security advice and to help the Government navigate an increasingly dangerous world.

Gen Jenkins is currently Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, the deputy to Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, and has previously worked at the PM's 10 Downing Street office as a military assistant.

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Announcing Gen Jenkins' appointment, Mr Sunak said: "I'm really pleased that Gwyn is going to do this job.

"In an incredibly uncertain and increasingly dangerous world, it's important the person doing this job has the requisite set of skills to provide advice to me and to help navigate that landscape.

"As many of you know, he has a very distinguished career in the Armed Forces, he was in the special forces as well as serving in No 10 as a military adviser and deputy national security adviser.

"I'd just point out it's the first time we've had someone with a military background in that job and obviously he has worked in No 10 as well so has that policy experience.

"We need someone in that job who can blend a range of different skills together, diplomatic, intelligence, military operations.

"I have worked with Gwyn very closely since I've been PM. He's first-rate. The country is lucky to have his service, the Government is very lucky to have his advice."

Gen Jenkins said: "I am honoured to be appointed to this key position and return to the Cabinet Office at a critical time for our national security.

"I previously saw, as deputy national security adviser, the significant progress we've made through the National Security Council in how we organise, prepare for and respond to threats.

"I look forward to playing my part and working with colleagues across Government as we further adapt this approach, striving to keep our nation and way of life safe in these difficult times."