UK defence minister quits with stinging rebuke of PM Starmer

Healey resigns following difference over govt's Defence Investment Plan

LONDON:

British Defence Secretary John Healey quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country, just a week before a by-election that could prompt a bid to replace the Labour Leader.

In stinging criticism, Healey warned that Starmer's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) for funding over the next decade—which the leader has yet to publish—risked making Britain less safe.

"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," Healey wrote in a resignation letter to Starmer posted on his X account. "I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation."

Hours later, Starmer wrote back to Healey saying his spending plans would allow the armed forces to transform and modernise, adding: "I will always do what is needed to keep our country safe." The defence plan has been repeatedly delayed but Starmer has insisted he will publish it before a NATO summit in July.

Starmer's centre-left government, elected in July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule, has pledged to raise spending and prioritise NATO, as the threat from Russia grows. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to spend more and become less reliant on Washington for security.

Starmer has vowed to raise defence spending to 2.5% of economic output from next year.