Wes Streeting

Next week, what you will see is a Prime Minister that runs towards big and difficult issues rather than runs away from them.

If I didn't have confidence that this Prime Minister and this Chancellor would be investing in our defence sufficiently to protect our country, to protect our allies, and to meet our international commitments, then no, I wouldn't have…

Russia posed a threat to UK security

Securing safe shipping routes through the area was important because of the impact the crisis is having on energy prices and the cost of living

We have not joined and will not join offensive US military action in Iran

I think we shouldn't put too much stock in the sabre-rattling of Iran, and we certainly shouldn't be intimidated by what the regime has said this week

We stand ready to response to any attacks Iran wishes to wage against this country or our allies and we will continue to do that

I want to make sure every penny is spent wisely.

This is how we make ourselves fit to face the future, how we will continue to be a strong, dependable ally to our friends abroad, and how we will be an engine of growth and jobs here at home.

But investment is only one side of the coin because while we will always back our brave men and women who serve, ensuring they have the resources and the kit that they need, we also owe it to them and to the whole country to ensure that…

What I will not do, because I think it would not only be limiting to my time in this post, but potentially ending of my time in this post, is to write the chancellor's next budget and next spending review for him.

This launch shows the depth of industrial capability we have here in Britain to help deliver our ambition to become Europe’s first sixth generation air force.

We’re investing £300m in our StormFighter programme to develop an autonomous combat aircraft here in the UK.

The unveiling of Brontanax, the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, is a testament to the extraordinary talent and innovation across our sovereign defence industry.

This is a groundbreaking moment for UK defence, not just for air power, but for reindustrialisation.

We will adopt this as our operational concept demonstrator, and we’re going to get it in the air in 2027.

But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity.

I hope everyone can see there was no ill intent behind this ribbing of the new justice secretary - it was a reference to an old May/Clarke joke.

Modernisation without investment is impractical, but investment without modernisation is irresponsible.

This is the mantra I will now follow as defence secretary.

What I will do is put the best possible case for defence to the Treasury.

Our resolve to stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine but also Russian aggression against all of our allies.

We should see yesterday’s events as performative and irresponsible.

We don’t take the contribution they make lightly and we don’t make this ask of the country lightly either.

The commitment that the prime minister has given to the defence of our nation is clear and will be even more clear in the coming months.