LONDON (AP) — UK Defense Secretary John Healey unexpectedly quit on Thursday, saying the British government is unwilling to spend enough on the military at a time of “rising threats.” The resignation dealt another blow to embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is already facing demands from Labour colleagues to step down.

Healey told Starmer in a letter that the government’s Defense Investment Plan falls “well short of what is required at this dangerous time.”

Publication of the plan has been delayed amid reports of disagreement between the Defense Ministry and the Treasury.

Starmer said in a letter to Healey that he was sorry to see him go, but insisted that the funding plan would provide the necessary military resources to keep the United Kingdom safe.

“The increases in spending that underpin this plan will be sustainable and fair,” Starmer said. “They will mean significant reallocations of funding from across government departments and the right choices to protect our nation.”

Starmer has pledged to boost UK defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2027 and 3% by 2035. But many in the military say that isn’t fast enough.

The United Kingdom and other NATO member nations have faced pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase military spending. Trump has also criticized Starmer for not being more involved in the US-Israeli war with Iran. He has long questioned the value of the NATO military alliance and complained that the United States provides security to European countries that don’t pull their weight.

Healey wrote in his resignation letter that the spending plan put forward by the Treasury, and presented to him on Monday, would see defense spending rise to just 2.68% in 2030, after hitting 2.6% next year.

“You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend........

© The Times of Israel