Rishi Sunak says Ben Wallace is «widely respected» Credit: NAJA WOLLEBEN.
Ben Wallace's chances of becoming NATO Secretary General increased after Rishi Sunak appeared and gave him his blessing.
The top position in the Western Defense Alliance falls vacant in September and the UK Defense Secretary has been linked with this role.
When asked by ITV in Hiroshima whether he would support Mr Wallace's bid for the role, the prime minister said he was «widely respected» by international colleagues but was focused » right now» in his cabinet job.
This came after Mr. Wallace admitted to the German media that he would like to become Secretary General of NATO.
'He is focused on the support of Ukraine'
He told the dpa news agency. : “I always said it would be a good job. This is the job I would like. But I also love the job I'm doing now.»
On Friday, Mr. Sunak told ITV: «I know his colleagues respect him for the role he's played.» /p>
“Now he is focused on supporting Ukraine. He does a great job of it.»
The Prime Minister made the comment on Friday ahead of the G7 summit. Photo: Stéphane Rousseau
Mr Wallace indicated that he would strive to succeed the current head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, during a trip to Berlin for talks on Ukraine with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius.
He said, that this role is “a fantastic job, and NATO is an incredibly important part of all our guarantees.” But that's not for me to decide. That's for all the other allies.»
Mr Wallace will have to overcome opposition from those who are said to be pushing for a woman or someone from Eastern Europe, as well as France, which would reportedly prefer EU candidate.
If the Secretary of Defense does succeed, it could trigger a by-election for his seat in Wyre and Preston North, though they should be split in a planned Westminster reshuffle later this year.
The appointment of Labor MP George Robertson as head of NATO in 1999 led to a by-election in his Hamilton South constituency.
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