Defence Secretary John Healey’s resignation dominates Friday’s papers. “Healey torpedoes Starmer” is the The Daily Telegraph’s headline. His resignation letter accuses Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of being “unable” – and the Treasury “unwilling” – to invest the money needed to defend the UK.
The Guardian says the prime minister’s leadership has been “pushed to the brink” with Healey’s “shock resignation” and risks “shredding his remaining political authority”. Elsewhere, it is “game on” for the 2026 World Cup which got under way on Thursday with a 2-0 win for host nation Mexico against South Africa. Singer Shakira is pictured on the front page performing at the opening ceremony before the match.
The Daily Express carries further details from Healey’s resignation letter, including his claim that defence funding plans signed off by the prime minister could make the UK “less safe”. In response, Sir Keir has said the funding plan “will provide the resources our military needs to keep us safe”.
The i Paper describes Healey’s resignation as a “devastating critique” to the prime minister and chancellor as both fight for their political futures.
The Daily Mail says the plan will see defence spending increase by 0.08% of GDP – short of the 3% Healey was pushing for.
Hours after Healey’s resignation, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns followed in his footsteps along with two parliamentary private secretaries in the Ministry of Defence, the Times says.
The Sun describes the string of resignations as an “MoD mutiny”.
“Endgame nears for Starmer,” says the Independent, quoting Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch as saying Sir Keir’s premiership is “falling apart”.
“Our defence in crisis” is Metro’s headline, noting that Healey is the sixth Cabinet minister to resign in the past month.
The Financial Times says Healey’s departure “lays bare growing divisions in the Labour Party” as a potential leadership challenge from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham looms, should he win next week’s by-election (see the full list of candidates here).
And the Daily Star splashes on the “joy of Mex” in its coverage of the World Cup opening ceremony and victory for Mexico.
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