Defence minister ‘threatens to step down’ over cuts

LONDON: Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood is reportedly threatening to resign if plans to impose deep cuts to army ranks are imposed.

Ex-soldier Ellwood - who was hailed as a hero for intervening in the Westminster terror attack - is understood to have expressed “deep discomfort” at cost-saving plans which would cut the army’s full-time strength to 70,000 - a loss of 12,000 soldiers.

Whitehall sources quoted by The Times said the Ministry of Defence is “beginning to try and push back” against proposals, which reportedly shocked the newly-appointed defence secretary gavin Williamson. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said no decisions had been made and dismissed suggestions of options being considered as “speculation.”

Former chief whip Williamson, who took on the role after Sir Michael Fallon’s resignation, has previously been warned that attempts to bring in cuts to the armed forces would prompt a signiicant Tory revolt.

However, speculation about defence cuts has mounted since the launch of a review led by Theresa May’s national security adviser Mark Sedwill.

Measures thought to be under consideration include reducing the order for Ajax armoured vehicles and delaying upgrades to other tanks, as well as axing of amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, alongside the loss of 1,000 Royal Marines.

Ellwood, who served in the Royal Green Jackets from 1991 to 1996 with tours in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Kuwait, Germany, Gibraltar and Bosnia and is now in the Army Reserve, has indicated he would have to step down if the military was not shielded from cuts, the newspaper said.

An MOD spokesman said: “We have the biggest defence budget in Europe and are one of very few countries to not only meet but exceed Nato’s 2% spending target.