Minister of Foreign Affairs Liz Truss got a boost for her campaign to become the country’s next leader when the defense minister expressed his support for her on Friday. Mr Wallace, who rose in popularity thanks to his handling of the Ukraine crisis, was seen as the early favorite to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister before ruling himself out in favor of concentrating on his defense role.
He said Ms Truss, who is on track to defeat former Chancellor Rishi Sunak according to polls by members of the ruling Conservative Party, was “authentic” and “straightforward”.
“I’ve sat with her in cabinet, bilateral meetings and international summits. She stands her ground. Above all, she is honest and means what she says,” he wrote in the Times.
According to Italian journalist Antonello Guerrera, the move into the EU has been received as a “huge blow”.
Brussels, the La Repubblica journalist claimed, will be “deeply upset” if Ms Truss succeeds in her quest to lead the UK.
He said: “Wallace’s approval for Truss is also a huge blow to the EU.
Wallace also took a swipe at the former chancellor for resigning at number 11 in early July, helping spark a wave of other resignations that culminated in Mr Johnson’s announcement that he would resign.
“I don’t have the luxury as Secretary of Defense to just walk out the door. I have a role to play in keeping this country safe,” Wallace said in an interview with The Sun newspaper.
“And the keeper of the markets, you know, the keeper of our economy, is the chancellor.”
Wallace also accused Mr Sunak of trying to block “essential” defense money during his time as chancellor.
Mr Sunak, the defense minister said, tried to block “vital” defense money in 2019 but found himself overpowered by the prime minister.
LBC’s Nick Ferrari asked him how bothersome the former chancellor was at allocating more money to the armed forces.
NOT MISSING:
Boris humiliates France and Germany in hilarious Commonwealth speech [VIDEO]
Tory Leadership LIVE: Wallace Defeats Rishi, Throws Weight Behind Truss [LIVE BLOG]
Backlash as Brexit accusers shut down due to delays in Dover [ANALYSIS]
Mr Wallace replied: “I don’t think he was hindering…”
When he insisted, the Defense Secretary said: “I mean, the multi-year settlement we got was not what the Treasury would have wanted.
“They wanted a one-year settlement. This was in 2019 I think. It was vital that we got a multi-year settlement.
“The prime minister effectively asserted his authority and made sure it did.”
Mr Ferrari asked, “But Mr Sunak did not support him?”
Mr. Wallace said, “Not that I remember.”
Whoever wins will have to tackle a host of issues arising from a cost of living crisis, a struggling national health service and the fallout from Britain’s departure from the European Union.