General Sir Nick Carter, Army boss who has been fighting for more defence cash, appointed new Chief of Defence Staff
Popular forces leader was one of three candidates interviewed by Theresa May for the job over the last few weeks, and his elevation will be seen as a boost for Gavin Williamson’s fight against Philip Hammond to boost the MoD’s crippled budget
BRITAIN’S new top warrior is General Sir Nick Carter, who has fought hard for more defence cash.
The popular Army chief will be appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff by the Queen this morning, defence sources have told The Sun.
The outspoken Rifles Regiment officer’s elevation will be seen as a boost for Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson’s fight against Chancellor Philip Hammond to boost the MoD’s crippled budget.
Sir Nick, 59, was one of three candidates interviewed by Theresa May for the job over the last few weeks.
The others were General Sir James Everard, NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Gordon Messenger.
If he had been picked, Afghan hero Sir Gordon would have been the first ever Royal Marine CDS.
Highly decorated Sir Nick won a cherished Distinguished Service Order for commanding allied troops in southern Afghanistan during the height of the fight against the Taliban in 2010.
Delighted with the news, Mr Williamson said: "At this crucial time for defence, as we look to strengthen our Armed Forces in the face of intensifying global threats, I’m confident General Carter will be an outstanding Chief of the Defence Staff".
The Prime Minister dubbed General Carter as "a superb choice".
On his service as Chief of the General Staff, Mrs May added: "I have been impressed not only by the reforms he has carried out with the British Army, but by the care he has demonstrated for the men and women under his command.
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"I am confident General Carter will bring the same dynamism to his new role and I look forward to working with him."
Sir Nick replaces the RAF's Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, who leaves the MoD in the summer to be Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
He is the first Brit to do one of the alliance's most senior jobs in more than 20 years.