Defence Committee: John Healey’s resignation a “grave moment”
DEFENCE Secretary John Healey has resigned. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Healey said:
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded:
The Defence Committee has issued a statement responding to the resignation of John Healey as Defence Secretary.
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tan Dhesi MP, said: “John Healey has been a serious, committed and respected Defence Secretary, who has understood the scale of the threats facing the UK and the urgent need to strengthen our Armed Forces. Members across the Defence Committee will recognise his dedication to our service personnel and his determination to make the case for defence. We thank him for his service.
“That a Defence Secretary of his integrity and commitment has felt compelled to resign in response to the inadequacy of the proposed defence settlement is a grave moment. The Government must take that warning with the utmost seriousness.
“The Defence Committee has been clear that investment in defence must be accelerated to reach 3% of GDP by the end of this Parliament, and that the Defence Investment Plan cannot be delayed further or used to disguise hard choices. It must be affordable, deliverable and fully funded, with credible timelines and proper parliamentary scrutiny.
“Our Armed Forces, defence industry, allies and adversaries alike need to see that the UK is matching its words on national security with the resources required to deliver.”
Dan Jarvis MBE MP has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Defence.
