Shapps Replaces Wallace as Claire Coutinho Takes Over Energy Portfolio

Wallace warns of 'insecure and unstable' world in resignation letter

Grant Shapps (L) - who replaces outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (C) - and Claire Coutinho (R) arrive at Downing Street in London for Cabinet reshuffle on Aug. 31, 2023. PA

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed Grant Shapps to replace Ben Wallace as defence secretary and has promoted Claire Coutinho to take over from Shapps as secretary of state for energy security and net zero.

Mr. Shapps—who is taking on his fifth Cabinet role in 12 months—is seen as a safe pair of hands by Mr. Sunak and even the shadow attorney general, Emily Thornberry, described him as a “talented politician.”