Labour minister squirms on BBC as he refuses to answer Andy Burnham question
BBC Breakfast welcomed Defence Minister Luke Pollard on Wednesday morning as he was asked if Keir Starmer's likely successor was told about the funding plans for an extra £15billion spending in the Defence Investment Plan.
It has been reported that £4.7billion will need to be found at the next Budget - leaving whoever fills the Prime Minister's shoes in quite the predicament. Host Sarah Campbell asked the politician if the "black hole" came as a surprise to Andy Burnham, who is expected to replace Starmer. Mr Pollard replied, saying that he hopes Mr Burnham will become the next leading politician as he is "a big fan" before skirting around the question and explaining that there have been "regular talks between Downing Street and Andy's team about the defence investment plan".
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'Did it come as a surprise to Andy Burnham?'
On #BBCBreakfast defence minister Luke Pollard was asked if Keir Starmer's likely successor was told about the funding plans for an extra £15bn spending in the Defence Investment Plan - of which £4.7 will have to be found at the next… pic.twitter.com/rvm6dml0IZ
Ms Campbell then said that there have been reports that Mr Burnham was not made aware of the £4.7billion, as the politician seemed to be stuck for words.
He remained silent for a few awkward seconds before finally replying: "So, I'm not privy to those conversations between Downing Street and Andy's team."
He then turned his attention to what he hopes the budget will be spent on as he shared that threats are "increasing" so he wants to make sure that Britain's defences are up to date.
Labour's long-awaited and delayed Defence Investment Plan was published on Tuesday.
Arriving 10 months behind schedule, the plan confirmed that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would receive an additional £15billion, a figure which falls short of the £28billion needed to achieve recommendations accepted by the government in last year's Strategic Defence Review.
Tory MP and former soldier Tom Tugendhat slammed the plans as he said: "Today's defence announcement is pointless.
"It is committing money over many years that cannot be guaranteed because the people making the promise won't be there to keep it."
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the success of the defence investment plan will be judged by whether those in the armed forces support it.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: “Ultimately, the success of this defence investment plan will be measured by whether it commands the support of those amazing men and women who serve in our armed forces.
“They remain our most important asset, respected by those who stand with us, feared by those who stand against us. We know that they are equal to any task, and with this defence investment plan, we give them the means to match their courage.”