Joe Biden 'torpedoes British bid to take over leadership of NATO'

22 June 2023 , 09:25

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Joe Biden is claimed to have blocked Ben Wallace's bid to become NATO boss (Image: AP)

Joe Biden blocked a British minister from becoming the next head of NATO, it has been claimed

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had been widely-tipped for the role, but today ruled himself out of contention.

Mr Wallace had been mooted to take over from general secretary Jens Stoltenberg, but the US is understood to have said it wants him to stay on instead.

Mr Wallace told The Economist "it's not going to happen" and there are "a lot of unresolved issues in NATO"

Rishi Sunak has previously lobbied the US President to give his backing to Mr Wallace, but it is believed Mr Biden prefers the former Norwegian Prime Minister remaining in post.

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Mr Stoltenberg has been at the helm of NATO, the West's military defence alliance, for the past eight years.

Ben Wallace had been widely tipped to be the next Secretary General (Getty Images)

Mr Wallace has made no secret of his desire to take over as NATO chief, telling reporters last month: "I've always said it would be a good job.

"That's a job I'd like. But I'm also loving the job I do now."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denied torpedoing Mr Wallace's chances, saying the US was not "promoting any particular candidate".

Mr Biden has previously described Mr Wallace as "very qualified" for the role.

Voicing his support for his minister, Mr Sunak said: "Ben does a fantastic job. He is a great Defence Secretary.

"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."

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Dave Burke