UK Defence Secretary Healey Resigns, Former Army Officer Jarvis Appointed

(CNA, London, 11th -综合 foreign news) Dan Jarvis, a former army officer, was appointed today as the UK's new Defence Secretary. Hours earlier, former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, criticizing the government for not investing sufficient funds to safeguard national security.

According to AFP, Jarvis previously served as the Deputy Minister for Security at the Home Office in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's struggling administration.

Starmer faces intense political pressure. The outcome of a parliamentary by-election scheduled one week from now could trigger internal Labour Party moves to replace him, and Healey's resignation dealt an early blow.

Before resigning, Healey criticized the long-delayed 'Defence Investment Plan' (DIP), a 10-year defence spending blueprint under development by Prime Minister Starmer, for not yet being published, warning it could leave the UK 'less secure'.

A few hours later, Starmer wrote to Healey, stating that his spending plan would enable the military to transform and modernize. He also emphasized: 'I will take all necessary actions to protect national security.'

The announcement of this defence plan has already been postponed multiple times. Starmer insists it will be unveiled before the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7. (Translation: Shih Shih) 1150612