Mordaunt: Labour 'burying its head in sand' on defence

British Challenger 2 tanks have gone into Russia being driven by Ukrainian troops (UK MOD Crown)

- MILLIE COOKE

Penny Mordaunt has accused the government of burying its head in the sand on defence, amid reports Labour is planning on cuts in the forthcoming Budget.

Writing in The Independent, the former Tory leadership hopeful warned that Labour’s first Budget, which will be delivered on 30 October, “is the only opportunity they have” to demonstrate that the UK is serious about “playing their part in defending our collective interests”.

Ms Mordaunt, the first woman to be named secretary of state for defence when she took on the role in 2019, warned that it is a “diplomatic signal as well as a fiscal event”, saying any decision not to invest enough in defence could indicate that the UK is “not a reliable partner” and lead to “grave consequences” for the nation.

Amid growing global instability, with wars raging in both the Middle East and Ukraine, Ms Mordaunt said that “what the UK chooses has never mattered more”.

“If we do not commit to do all that is required to protect our national interests, then we can hardly be surprised when allies don’t either,” she said.