- Sir Keir Starmer's military advisers, Lord Robertson and Sir Richard Barrons, warned MPs that delays to the UK's defence investment plan have been 'profoundly dangerous' and that the UK is 'under daily attack' from Russia.
- Lord Robertson expressed concern about a dangerous degree of complacency in the country, stating that people need to be 'alarmed' about Russia, which he considers the UK's 'principal main adversary'.
- Sir Richard Barrons emphasised that the year-long delay in publishing the defence plan resulted in a lost year for mobilising against a potential Russian attack by 2030, describing this as 'profoundly dangerous'.
- The warnings precede the Nato summit in Ankara, where Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face pressure from Donald Trump over defence commitments, with America and other allies reportedly 'dismayed' by the UK's spending delays.
- Kemi Badenoch advised the government to prioritise funding defence rather than focusing on Donald Trump's 'hurty words', noting that his criticism of Nato underfunding is not new, only his manner of delivery.
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