Mr Healey said the Prime Minister and treasury had been “unable to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.”

John Healey (second from left) during a visit to Edinburgh in March 2026. © Ross Chalmers

Healy wrote: “However, your DIP financial settlement – which I was first given in full on Monday afternoon this week- falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time.”

He added: “Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.

“After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defence Secretary.”

SNP Westminster Leader Dave Doogan MP said: “Keir Starmer is putting Scotland’s safety at risk by failing to deliver the vital defence investment that is needed in the face of growing international threats.

“The resignation of the UK Defence Secretary, at a time of global crisis, is utterly damning for the Prime Minister – and it will be the final nail in his sorry time in office.

“Yet again, the Labour government is in chaos – and it is putting Scotland and the UK’s defence in jeopardy at the worst possible time.

“It is a disgrace that, for decades, successive Labour Party and Tory governments have imposed Westminster austerity cuts on our defence and left us vulnerable. They have slashed our defence capabilities, decimated our armed forces, reduced our Scottish regiments, and left our brave personnel without the equipment and support they need.

“In the face of these Westminster cuts, the SNP has consistently led support for Scotland’s armed forces – demanding more investment in our vital conventional defence capabilities and more support for our troops.

“There is no more time for excuses. The Labour government must deliver the urgent investment needed in our defence instead of breaking yet another promise and leaving the UK vulnerable.

“If Keir Starmer isn’t capable of delivering the investment needed to keep us safe, then it makes it all the more important that he steps aside as Prime Minister without further delay.”

Tom joined Deadline News in 2025 after graduating with a master’s degree in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. He has previously reported on Scottish and European politics in both print and broadcast, and is also a freelance football commentator.

Being half-Belgian, Tom is also a fluent French speaker. You can contact him using the links below.

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