Donald Trump’s government has threatened to boycott Britain’s claim to the Falklands if Andy Burnham does not increase defence spending.
Officials in Washington are preparing to apply pressure on the UK to meet Nato’s 5 per cent spending pledge, with one revealing ‘nothing is being ruled out’ in conversations over the matter.
And if the UK fails to meet aggressive NATO burden-sharing targets, senior Pentagon officials have drawn up proposals to withhold or oppose US backing for British claims on the Falklands.
In 2025, Nato members committed to spending 5 per cent of their GDP on defence by 2035 to counter the increasing threat from Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
The US move is reportedly considering using its recognition of British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands as leverage to pressure UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as well as his Chancellor, John Healy into accelerating defence spending.
Meanwhile, John Healey, who has been accused of ‘surrender’ after it emerged he had shelved his own defence spending target.
Healey was branded a ‘sell out’, ‘hypocrite’ and accused of putting ‘welfare over warfare’ as it emerged he will delay setting a date for hitting 3 per cent of GDP on defence spending.
Critics have said it raised fresh questions about Labour’s commitment to defence and security of the nation and warned it threatens to sour relations with Washington, which has been calling for greater spending among European allies for years.
