The deputy head of the armed forces will become the UK’s next national security adviser – marking the first time a senior military officer has held the powerful position.
General Gwyn Jenkins, a former director of special forces, will replace Sir Tim Barrow, who has reportedly been lined up to become the next British ambassador to the United States.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that General Jenkins would be taking on the national security role during a trip to Poland on Tuesday.
“I’m really pleased that Gwyn is going to do this job – in an incredibly uncertain and increasingly dangerous world, it’s important the person doing this job has the requisite set of skills to provide advice to me and to help navigate that landscape,” he told reporters.
The Royal Marines officer, who is close to Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the UK’s top military officer, has previously spent time working at Number 10 and had a brief stint as a deputy national security adviser. He is currently Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
Mr Sunak said: “I’d just point out it’s the first time we’ve had someone with a military background… we need someone in that job who can blend a range of different skills together, diplomatic, intelligence, military operations.
“I have worked with Gwyn very closely since I’ve been PM – he’s first rate, the country is lucky to his service, the government is very lucky to have his advice and I’m really pleased he’s going to be doing this job.”
Referring to Sir Tim, the prime minister said: “I’m very grateful to Tim – who’s here, who I’ve worked very closely with since I’ve done this job…. he’s been at the heart of foreign policy with me and really strengthening the UK’s alliances and making sure we are involved and engaged and influential on the world stage. So I am grateful to Tim.”
Not everyone inside defence, however, was instantly happy with the announcement of the appointment of General Jenkins to the national security post.
“It could be good news but there’s open astonishment from many,” one defence source said, claiming that General Jenkins had been an advocate of cutting the strength of the armed forces.
A second source said: “He’s a decent man, but… he’s a tactician… Courageous, bold… but those are the qualities of tactician, not strategist.
“His knowledge of strategic themes is very limited, and he seems dismissive of it. A bad sign.”
