Starmer claims defence is his ‘number one priority’ despite top ministers quitting – as PM admits funding plan is STILL not agreed

Keir Starmer insisted today that defense is his ‘number one priority’ as he desperately tries to avoid another major crisis.

The Prime Minister claimed he had been ‘brave’ on funding as he was shaken by the resignation of Defense Secretary John Healey, who accused him and Rachel Reeves of failing to keep the country safe.

Mr. Healey was escorted out the door by his deputy, Al Carns, and two ministerial aides; all condemned the proposed funding deal after months of bitter wrangling in Whitehall.

It was an agonizing nine-hour wait before security minister Dan Jarvis finally took charge of the Ministry of Defence.

This morning Sir Keir appeared normal in Downing Street for an awkward photo op with Mr Jarvis and Chief of the Defense Staff Richard Knighton (who is also thought to be at risk of quitting).

The Prime Minister insisted in an interview this afternoon: ‘I have taken difficult decisions to make sure we are safe as a country, because that is my number one priority.’

However, he acknowledged that the Defense Investment Plan (DIP), which was expected to be completed last autumn, had still not been finalized. And he sidestepped calls for welfare cuts to help find more money.

As Ser Keir’s grip on power loosens further:

• The Prime Minister faces the prospect of traveling to the G7 summit next week with Donald Trump at a time when Britain’s defense plans are in shambles;
• More evidence has emerged of Russia’s military buildup on its European border;
• Mr Carns, a former Royal Marine, hinted he would enter any Labor leadership contest;
• The Prime Minister still needs to find a new security minister to replace Mr Carns and two deputy ministers;
• Meg Hillier, the ringleader of an earlier Labor Party rebellion against welfare cuts, said she believed MPs were now ready to support the cuts;

Prime Minister sits in No 10 stunned by Defense Secretary John Healey’s resignation

‘The plan is being developed. “We are determined to get this right,” Mr Kyle told Times Radio.

‘We’re talking about huge amounts of money going to defense at a time when we need to modernize the way we think about defense and also ensure that we do it in a way that benefits British businesses.’

In his resignation letter yesterday, Mr Healey revealed plans signed by the Prime Minister and Chancellor would increase defense spending by just 0.08 percentage points of GDP by the end of the decade, despite growing threats around the world.

Senior defense officials have warned that the outdated deal would leave Britain ‘in danger’.

It is also accepted that the Chief of the Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, is on resignation watch.

Mr Carns followed Mr Healey out the door last night after a Sky News interview – not authorized by No10 – in which he said funding offers were not good enough.

He warned that Britain would be seen as weak at the critical NATO summit that starts on July 7.

Mr Carns this morning refused to throw cold water on claims he is considering replacing Sir Keir, saying ‘we’ll see what happens in the future’.

He also suggested aid could be cut to help free up funding. ‘We have to find more money,’ he said.

‘There is a debate about welfare. I firmly believe it’s about raising hands, not reaching out.

‘But we need to help the people who need help the most within the country and at the same time get the balance right in defence.’

Despite the backlash, Sir Keir signaled he would stick to the funding plan rejected by Mr Healey.

It is unclear whether the plan will be revealed before next week’s G7 summit, which Donald Trump will attend.

Sir Keir was already under huge pressure after Andy Burnham threatened to launch a leadership challenge assuming he wins the Makerfield by-election next Thursday.

Mr Healey criticized Rachel Reeves’ (pictured) role in reducing defense funding

Tom Tugendhat, a former soldier who served as Conservative Party security minister, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that Mr Healey’s remarks as he resigned were ‘damning’.

He added: ‘The truth is that the enemy is at the door and we are still not taking it seriously.

‘So it’s like, ‘If not now, when?’ one of the questions. understands.’