- Tobias Ellwood said the world is in a ‘pivotal moment’ and Britain needs its Army
- He said to be a ‘force for good’ in the world demanded new ‘investment’
- Remarks are a warning shot to the Treasury amid rumours of planned cuts
A defence minister fired a warning shot at the Treasury today warning the Armed Forces needed investment to be a ‘force for good’.
Tobias Ellwood demanded the on-going national security review be used to channel extra money into the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
There have been fears among some Tories National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill will direct money into cyber security instead.
Defence minister Tobias Ellwood (pictured on Horse Guards Parade in October) fired a warning shot at the Treasury today warning the Armed Forces needed investment
Tory MPs were disappointed at the Budget in November when Chancellor Philip Hammond failed to announce new spending
Mr Sedwill’s review into defence has since been postponed to allow a separate decision on military spending.
Mr Ellwood said the world was in a ‘pivotal moment’ and Britain should not be caught out with under-funded forces.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph: ‘Do we aspire to influence the world as a force for good or are we happy to withdraw to a more reactive footing, with all the negative consequences that may entail, not only for our for security but our economy too?
‘I choose the former. It has always been in our nation’s DNA to step forward when other nations might hesitate. To do so now will require investment.’
Mr Ellwood added: ‘The Government’s extended review of our national security provides an opportunity to make sure we are equipped to meet the future.
‘But this must not come at the expense of conventional legacy capabilities.’
There have been fears among some Tories National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill (file image) will direct money into cyber security instead
Tory MPs were disappointed at the Budget in November when Chancellor Philip Hammond failed to announce new spending.
New Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson had asked for more funding and vowed to review draft plans for cuts to the Royal Marines.
Johnny Mercer, a Tory MP and Afghanistan veteran, underlined anxiety among Tory MPs this weekend warning defence cuts could ‘sink a government’.
He said now is ‘the perfect time for Government to sell a vision of what a modern, flexible, capable, brilliant military will look like for a truly global Britain.’
New Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (pictured with British troops in Iraq last week) had asked for more funding and vowed to review draft plans for cuts to the Royal Marines