British Defense Minister withdraws from leadership race

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said after “careful consideration” and discussions with colleagues and family, he will not run to replace Boris Johnson as the country’s next Conservative leader and prime minister.

Wallace was seen by some as the favorite choice among Conservative Party members in what will be an open leadership contest after Johnson’s resignation was announced on Thursday.

Johnson stepped down as party leader after months of insisting he would stay in the job despite mounting ethics scandals. He said he will stay on as prime minister until the party chooses his successor.

Rishi Sunak, who has resigned as finance minister, the best-known of the leadership contenders and considered the favorite, launched the race on Friday.

Attorney General Suella Braverman, MP Tom Tugendhat and former Equality Minister Kemi Badenoch have also thrown their hat into the ring and more announcements are expected over the coming days.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi and Trade Secretary Penny Mordaunt are also expected to run, as are former health secretaries Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt.

Wallace said his decision was “not an easy choice to make, but my focus is on my current job and keeping this great place safe.”

Conservative party officials on Monday are expected to set the timetable for a leadership contest, with the aim of having a winner by the end of the summer. The two-step process involves Conservative lawmakers voting to reduce the field of candidates to two, who will go to a vote of all party members.

Johnson’s announcement came after more than 50 British officials resigned from their posts.

Discontent in Johnson’s cabinet emerged after recent revelations of inappropriate sexual behavior by Conservative lawmaker Chris Pincher, and it was reported that Johnson was aware of these incidents. Radio Free Europe

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