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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
David Lynch

Starmer’s authority shaken by defence secretary’s exit over military funding

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and then-defence secretary John Healey in front of a UK Typhoon fighter jet at Tusas airbase in Ankara during a visit to Turkey in October 2025 (Stefan Rousseau/PA) - (PA Archive)

Sir Keir Starmer’s beleaguered premiership has been shaken to its core by the shock resignation of John Healey as defence secretary over a dispute about long-term funding for the military.

Mr Healey was joined in his exit from Government by armed forces minister Al Carns, as well as two parliamentary aides, heaping pressure on the Prime Minister, who is already facing the threat of a leadership challenge.

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