Starmer ‘not listening’ says Al Carns who becomes second defence minister to resign in 24 hours - live updates

Starmer ‘not listening’ says Al Carns who becomes second defence minister to resign in 24 hours - live updates Dan Jarvis appointed new defence secretary as John Healey and Al Carns resign from cabinet over prime minister’s defence funding plan - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Sir Keir Starmer’s beleaguered premiership has been shaken by the resignations of defence ministers John Healey and Al Carns over military funding. In a scathing takedown of No 10, Mr Healey warned that the defence investment plan (DIP) “falls well short of what is required”, and accused the prime minister and the chancellor of having been “unwilling to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats". The defence secretary was joined in his exit from the cabinet by armed forces minister Mr Carns, as well as two parliamentary aides, heaping pressure on the prime minister, who is already facing the threat of a leadership challenge. Writing on X, Mr Carns said the DIP was “neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded”. He added: “Number 10 will not listen, so I am resigning.” Sir Keir, who issued a defence of the spending plan, has appointed Dan Jarvis to replace Mr Healey. Parliamentary private secretaries Pamela Nash and Rachel Hopkins resigned on Thursday night. Tensions have been mounting in the cabinet over the publication of the long-delayed DIP, which will set out how new equipment and defence infrastructure will be funded in the next decade. Starmer welcomes in Jarvis as defence secretary Dan Jarvis, a former Parachute Regiment officer, was appointed John Healey’s successor late on Thursday. Sir Keir Starmer said he was pleased to make the appointment, as the government works to “meet the growing threats facing our country." He wrote: “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 meet the growing threats facing our country.” Farage accused of sinking to ‘new low’ after reinstating Reform councillor behind racist social media post Nigel Farage has been accused of sinking to a “new low” after a Reform UK councillor who was under investigation following allegations of racist social media activity has been reinstated by the party. Glenn Gibbins, who was elected to Sunderland City Council in May, was suspended from the party shortly after his election after being accused of posting racist comments online about the city’s Nigerian community. In March 2024, Mr Gibbins posted online: “Carnt [sic] believe amount of Nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!” Farage accused of ‘new low’ after reinstating councillor despite racist Facebook post John Healey’s resignation is the beginning of the end for Starmer On a political earthquake Richter scale rating, the shock resignation of John Healey as defence secretary in a row over armed forces funding is the sort of event that would bring tall buildings with dodgy foundations crashing to the ground. Healey may not be one of the headline names in the cabinet, but he is highly respected and will always be a Labour loyalist first and foremost. This is not a man who makes a habit of rocking the boat. So the fact that he has now lost confidence in Keir Starmer’s government, joining the almost 100 Labour MPs who have already publicly declared that they feel the same, is a sign that it really is over for the prime minister. David Maddox has more: John Healey’s resignation is the beginning of the end for Starmer Day of drama in government: A timeline 12.09pm: John Healey resigns as defence secretary, telling the prime minister the financial settlement for defence plan fell “well short of what is required”, with extra support coming after 2030 when the “imperative to speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years” 6.35pm: Sir Keir Starmer issues a strong defence of his spending plans, telling Mr Healey Labour had implemented the highest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, adding: “You are also right that we have to go further. The defence investment plan does just that.” 7.44pm: Pamela Nash, Mr Healey’s parliamentary private secretary, resigns, describing the “delays and difficulties” that had dogged the Defence Investment Plan as “the latest issue that is damaging to the trust of the public in us” 8.22pm: Al Carns resigns as a defence minister, saying he could not defend “a level of investment I know to be inadequate to the task” 9.07pm: Dan Jarvis appointed new defence secretary Watch: Al Carns’ interview less than an hour before resigning as Armed Forces minister 'I’m staying on as a defence minister' - Luke Pollard Following the resignations of John Healey and Al Carns, some will have wondered if defence minister Luke Pollard would also step down. But taking to X tonight, Mr Pollard said he will stay on. He wrote: “John Healey is a friend and a mentor. He is one of the most serious and decent public servants I know. I respect his decision to leave the government today, and I’m grateful for all he’s done for our nation. “The threats the UK faces are real and they’re growing. We need to meet this moment. I’m staying on as a defence minister to play my part in getting this right.” Profile: Al Carns, ex-Royal Marine touted as potential future Labour leader Who is Al Carns – the dark horse who could change a Labour leadership race 'We will give our armed forces the capabilities they need,' Starmer pledges As he appointed Dan Jarvis to replace John Healey, the prime minister 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 meet 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 give our armed forces the capabilities they need to defend Britain and keep our nation secure.” Analysis: Starmer faces end game as Healey and Carns resign Starmer in fresh crisis as Healey quits with attack on PM’s plan to protect UK Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments