John Healey resigns as defence secretary in disagreement with Starmer over spending – UK politics live
John Healey has resigned as defence secretary due to disagreements with Labour leader Keir Starmer over defence spending. Healey criticized Starmer for being too weak to over-rule Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who he claims is unwilling to fund defence adequately. The resignation comes amid rising threats and a need for increased defence investment, according to Healey's letter of resignation.
- ▪John Healey resigned as defence secretary due to a disagreement with Keir Starmer over defence spending.
- ▪Healey criticized Rachel Reeves for being unwilling to fund defence by enough.
- ▪Healey also criticized Starmer for being too weak to over-rule Reeves.
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07.30 EDTHealey criticises Reeves for being 'unwilling' to fund defence by enough, and Starmer for being too weak to over-rule herHere is one of the key extracts from the letter. double quotation markThis new era for defence required further investment through the defence investment plan. The excellent and extensive cross-government work that completed in January – overseen by you, me and the chancellor – confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence. Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats. This is a double hatchet job.
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