Dan Jarvis appointed Defence Secretary after Healey resignation triggers Starmer crisis

His shock departure triggered a crisis in the Ministry of Defence, with Armed Forces Minister Al Carns also leaving. Mr. Carns told the PM he could not support “a level of investment I know to be inadequate for the task.”

Ministerial aides Pamela Nash and Rachel Hopkins are also reported to have quit tonight.

Mr. Jarvis, an Army veteran who served in the Parachute Regiment in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Afghanistan, takes on the top job at the Ministry of Defence as a crisis over defence spending challenges Keir Starmer’s leadership.

In his resignation letter, Mr. Healey accused the Prime Minister of putting the nation’s security at risk by failing to stand up to the Treasury, which he charged with being unwilling to commit the funds needed for defense.

Mr. Healey said the plan - which he was shown on Monday - "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time."

His departure left the PM scrambling to find a new Defence Secretary days before leaders of the G7 nations meet in France, and ahead of next month’s crucial NATO summit.

The Prime Minister this evening insisted he will deliver "an unprecedented increase in defence spending" and suggested Mr. Healey was wrong to criticize the Government’s commitment to defence spending.

In his response, the PM said the DIP will "provide the resources our military need to keep us safe" and will be backed by "necessary investment".

He stated that the plans will be underpinned by "sustainable and fair" increases in spending. The PM added: "Strong public finances are part of what keeps us safe - irresponsible borrowing only puts that at risk."

In a statement after he appointed Mr. Jarvis, the PM said: “My first duty is to keep the British people safe, and I will always do what is necessary to protect our national security.

“I am pleased to appoint Dan Jarvis as Defence Secretary as we strengthen our armed forces and confront the growing threats facing our country.

“This Labour Government is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

“In a dangerous and volatile world, we will provide our armed forces with the capabilities they need to defend Britain and ensure our nation’s security.”