BERLIN — British Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, resigned from office today, warning that the government’s defense funding plan was insufficient and “could make the country less safe.”
The surprise move came in a letter Healey posted on X, in which he praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for recognizing the threats to the homeland, but said Starmer, along with the ministry of the Treasury, failed to adequately provide funding to take them on in the forthcoming and much-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
“You know what defence needs,” Healey wrote. “[…] Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.
“After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defense Secretary,” he said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
