Defence minister Ben Wallace says he will stand down at the next election.

Mr Wallace, the longest-serving Conservative defence secretary, said in an interview with The Times: “I’m not standing next time.”

He added that he will not force a by-election by resigning “prematurely” – as fellow allies of Boris Johnson have done.

Mr Wallace also confirmed he would leave the cabinet at the next reshuffle, which is expected to be held this autumn.

Sky News reported that he was considering the move on Saturday.

“I went into politics in the Scottish parliament in 1999. That’s 24 years. I’ve spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed,” he told The Times.

When asked what the devices were for, he replied: “Secret, secret and secret.”

Read more:
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Wagner troops cross border to Belarus, says Kyiv

It comes following controversy last week when the defence secretary told a press conference that the UK was not an “Amazon” delivery service for weapons to Ukraine.

He also Kyiv might be wise to let its supporters “see gratitude”,

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later pushed back against the comments, saying Mr Zelenskyy had “expressed his gratitude for what we’ve done on a number of occasions”.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Speculation about the defence secretary’s fate has been mounting for weeks, with officials inside the Ministry of Defence wondering who might replace him.

Related posts:

Scotland’s leadership has failed, Salmond tells Holyrood inquiry May tells PM to level with the public as she slams ‘incomprehensible’ travel restrictions Hospital waiting lists could reach 13 million in coming months, health secretary warns Foreign Office relaxes COVID travel advice for UK travellers to 51 countries MPs who break rules on second jobs ‘should be punished’ – Johnson Public hearings for COVID inquiry set to begin next year No 10 admits it spoke to The Times before Carrie Johnson story was pulled Laws will be changed to protect passengers from ‘militant’ union action in future, minister says Starmer would work with France to stop people smugglers initiating Channel crossings Strikes will cause ‘disruption and delays’ over Christmas but govt approach is ‘sensible’ ‘Potential criminality’ at Labour’s largest donor, two independent reports find Health secretary ‘willing to engage’ with junior docs on strike but 35% pay rise demand ‘unreasonable’