James Heappey MP has today signed off from his role in the Ministry of Defence as Minister for Armed Forces, after four-and-a-half years in the role.
This comes after announcing his intention to stand down as a candidate at the next General Election.
He said: "I’ve loved every minute as MinAF in this incredible department. Our Armed Forces & MOD civil servants are the very best of us. Representing them in Parliament & around the world over last 4.5 years has been an amazing privilege.
"From the first COBR on Covid-19 to the most recent Ukraine Donor Contact Group last week in Ramstein via Kabul, Kyiv, Kosovo, Khartoum and the Southern Red Sea. It’s been an incredibly busy four and a half years.
"But the work isn’t done. Ukraine needs our support now as much as ever. Perhaps even more so. Their’s is a fight for the future of Euro-Atlantic security and so we must continue to lead the world in the breadth & bravery of our support.
"My sincerest thanks to all who serve so brilliantly in our nation’s armed forces & to the families that stand behind them.
"We’re asking a lot of them at the moment - rightly so, the geo-political situation demands it - and we should never forget their sacrifice.
"Thanks also to the fantastic civil servants who work so hard across the Defence enterprise from our world beating scientists to those who do the hard yards procuring the stuff our armed forces need to those who work on policy in the MOD itself.
"And finally thanks to the three PMs who’ve asked me to serve in this amazing role and to Ben Wallace, Grant Shapps, Nick Carter, Tony Radakin, Stephen Lovegrove, David Williams and my awesome Private Office team for putting up with me!"
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked Mr Heappey for his 'outstanding service and contribution' to the party, Parliament and country.
