Healey quits as defence secretary in row with Starmer over military spending

Minister accuses Keir Starmer of putting UK’s security at risk at a time of growing international threats

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The defence secretary, John Healey, has resigned over the government’s military spending plans, accusing Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves of putting the country’s security at risk at a time of growing international threats.

In a blistering resignation letter that further undermines the prime minister’s already fragile authority, Healey said the long-awaited defence investment plan (Dip) fell well short of what was needed to protect the UK at such a dangerous moment.