UK defence chief steps down, accuses Starmer of making Britain 'less safe'

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said in a brief statement to parliament that he had a profound disagreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the defence budget and was therefore forced to resign. The France 24 London correspondent reported that Healey had demanded defence spending rise to 2.5% of GDP to meet Britain's NATO obligations, while the Treasury had set a lower target. Healey said the decision had left 'Britain less safe.'

Starmer's office said the government's commitment to defence had not changed and that Healey's departure was a 'personal decision.' Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch called for the government to clarify its defence plan urgently. Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said his British counterpart's resignation had come without prior warning and was a surprise to allies.

European defence industry representatives said Britain's directional shifts could affect the EU-UK defence cooperation framework. UK defence contractors were slightly down on the London exchange. Starmer is expected to appoint a new Defence Secretary over the weekend.