Did ‘anti-British’ Joe Biden block Ben Wallace’s NATO bid?

Ben Wallace has admitted his hopes of getting NATO’s top job are over after opposition from Joe Biden and France.

The defense minister made a strong pitch to become the next secretary general in the wake of his pivotal role in Ukraine’s response. The UK is one of the few countries to meet military spending targets.

But he has now acknowledged that the nomination “will not happen,” despite Rishi Sunak lobbying the US president during a trip to Washington this month.

Biden would like to see current chief Jens Stoltenberg extend his term in office, although it has also been argued that he “didn’t want to support the UK.”

The president often boasts of his Irish heritage and has been accused of being ‘anti-British’. On a recent visit to the island of Ireland, he spent a few hours in Northern Ireland before touring the Republic for days, declining to display a Union Jack on his ‘Beast’ limousine.

He also made a “joke” about defeating the “Black and Tans” – an auxiliary police force deployed by Britain a century ago.

Joe Biden often brags about his Irish heritage and has been accused of being ‘anti-British’ (pictured during a trip to Ireland in April)

Mr Wallace has now acknowledged that the nomination ‘will not happen’ despite Rishi Sunak personally lobbying the US president during a trip to Washington this month (pictured)

It is thought that Mr Wallace received support from many of the Eastern European countries, but Emmanuel Macron (pictured) led a bloc demanding a candidate from an EU country

In an interview with The Economist, Mr Wallace said that becoming head of NATO is ‘not going to happen’ as the military alliance has ‘many unresolved issues’.

He said the US wants Stoltenberg to stay in the position, while other countries would prefer a national leader to take on the prestigious job.

But a defense source told Sky News: “Biden just didn’t want to support the UK.”

The process of appointing NATO chiefs takes place behind closed doors and is highly political among the 31 member states.

It is believed that Wallace received support from many of the Eastern European countries, but France was leading a bloc demanding a candidate from an EU country. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been widely praised.

It is a blow to Mr Sunak, who had praised Mr Wallace as a ‘widely respected’ candidate.

Ben is doing great. He is a great defense minister,” Sunak said in early June.

On a recent visit to the island of Ireland, Mr Biden spent a few hours in Northern Ireland before touring the Republic for days, where he disapproved of showing a Union Jack on his ‘Beast’ limousine (pictured)

“Ben is widely respected by his peers around the world.

We are one of the few countries to participate in every NATO operation. We are widely regarded as opinion leaders in NATO.’

Speaking alongside the prime minister, Mr Biden indicated that Mr Wallace was a ‘highly qualified individual’ but it ‘remains to be seen’ who will get the job.

Mr Stoltenberg has been secretary-general for almost nine years and is due to retire soon, but could extend his term.