Will Joe Biden back ‘fantastic’ Ben Wallace for Nato’s top job? Rishi Sunak admits ‘conversations are happening’ over new chief for military alliance as he prepares to head for Washington this week
Rishi Sunak hailed ‘fantastic’ Ben Wallace today as he admitted ‘conversations are happening’ about who will be the next head of NATO.
The PM dodged explicitly saying whether he will use a trip to Washington this week to push Joe Biden to endorse the Defence Secretary for the prestigious post.
But Mr Sunak did nothing to kill off speculation, praising Mr Wallace as ‘widely respected’ and highlighting Britain’s financial and military contribution to the alliance.
Incumbent Jens Stoltenberg is due to stand down in September, but with 31 member states the appointment process is always highly political.
France is said to be pushing for a candidate from the EU, while others would prefer to break new ground by installing a woman.
Rishi Sunak hailed ‘fantastic’ Ben Wallace today as he admitted ‘conversations are happening’ about who will be the next head of NATO
The PM dodged explicitly saying whether he will use a trip to Washington this week to push Joe Biden to endorse the Defence Secretary for the prestigious post
Mr Sunak is due to hold talks with the president (pictured) on Thursday
Asked about the White House visit and NATO role at a press conference in Kent this morning, Mr Sunak said: ‘Ben does a fantastic job. He is a great Defence Secretary.
‘This is a conversation that is happening amongst leaders around the world more generally and I’m sure it will continue to happen.
‘Ben is widely respected among his colleagues around the world.
‘We’re one of the only countries that participates in every single NATO operation. We are widely perceived as a thought leader in NATO.
‘And I think if you asked the NATO secretary general, he would agree with everything I’ve just said and we will always continue to be a strong contributor and participant in Nato.’
Mr Wallace has dropped a series of heavy hints that he would like to lead NATO, saying it is a ‘job I’d like’ – although he ‘loves’ being Defence Secretary.
Rumours have swirled about Mr Wallace’s intentions since he twice ducked out of running for the Tory leadership – despite polls suggesting he is the most popular member of the Cabinet with party grass roots.
NATO member states typically decide on the alliance’s next chief behind the scenes.
Mr Wallace would have to overcome the opposition of those said to be pushing for a woman or someone from eastern Europe, and of France, which would reportedly prefer an EU candidate.
If the Defence Secretary did succeed, it could trigger a by-election in his Wyre and Preston North seat, although it is set to be carved up under a planned shake-up of Westminster constituencies later this year.
The appointment of Labour MP George Robertson as Nato chief in 1999 led to a by-election in his Hamilton South constituency, south west of Glasgow.
Incumbent Jens Stoltenberg is due to stand down in September, but with 31 member states the appointment process is always highly political
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