The Newshound

Labour MP set to face grilling live on air over Chancellor John Healey's expected defence spending U-turn as ex-ministers prepare to call him a 'charlatan'

John Healey faces a potential £4bn hole in his fiscal headroom ahead of the October 28 Budget, with falling immigration squeezing the tax base he is counting on.
John Healey faces a potential £4bn hole in his fiscal headroom ahead of the October 28 Budget, with falling immigration squeezing the tax base he is counting on.

Presenter Camilla Tominey is set to press Labour MP Andrew Lewin on why John Healey, who resigned as Defence Secretary in June demanding three per cent of GDP for defence by 2030, is expected to defer that very commitment as Chancellor under Andy Burnham. Tominey is prepared to tell Lewin his constituents will see Healey as a "charlatan" who secured "a nice promotion" at the expense of Britain's security. Lewin is expected to reject the charge but concede no final decision has yet been made, saying the Budget set for end of October will settle the matter.

Former defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson is set to blast that Healey's resignation could look less like principle and 'more about getting the Chancellor's job at the expense of our nation's security.'

Dame Penny Mordaunt is expected to warn Labour will face a stark choice: 'spend 5 per cent GDP to secure peace, or 50 per cent GDP on war.'

Defence analyst Rob Clarke is prepared to say the expected U-turn 'speaks volumes' about Labour priorities, adding the Parliamentary Labour Party 'simply don't care' about the armed forces.

MoreGB NewsCamilla Tominey grills Labour MP over 'charlatan' John Healey’s defence spending U-turn: ‘Utter hypocrite!’Daily MailEx-defence ministers savage John Healey over his military funds U-turnGB NewsJohn Healey’s defence spending U-turn ‘speaks volumes’ about Labour's priorities, armed forces expert slams
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