RESHUFFLE RUMOURS
Cabinet reshuffle could happen TODAY, outgoing minister Ben Wallace says as Tories brace for by-election drubbing
OUTGOING Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has revealed that Rishi Sunak could kick off a major cabinet reshuffle TODAY.
The top minister told the centrist Future of Britain Festival on Tuesday that if it doesn't happen today, it's likely to take place at some stage this week or at the beginning of September.
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Mr Wallace said: “It depends who you talk to at the top of government.
“I spoke to one very senior member of the civil service who said it’s definitely happening this week I spoke to a very senior member of the government minister who said it’s not going to happen this week but it’s going to happen right, it’s going to happen either this week or the first week of September, that’s just the way it is.”
One minister told The Sun last night that "there’s logic to biting the bullet and going now” but other MPs worry the move would look like panic following an expected ballot box drubbing.
The rumours come as the Tories face the prospect of a triple by-election defeat on Thursday.
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This morning No10 officially insisted there are “no plans” for a reshuffle, but insiders alongside the Defence Secretary did not rule out one this week.
Top of the list is the search for Mr Wallace's replacement.
Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and Treasury Chief Secretary John Glen have both been tipped for the job.
As has Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, though that would be regarded as a demotion.
Discussing his decision to stand down, the Defence Secretary said he wanted to “go on my own terms… and leave on a high”.
Earlier in the Commons he told MPs: "This is likely to be one of my last appearances at this despatch box.
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"It's been the greatest privilege to have served as Secretary of State for Defence the last four years.
"I want to thank my team, civil servants, special advisers, and members of this House for their support and their challenge.
"All of us here have a common interest of defending this fine country, its values and its freedoms."
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