Andy Burnham latest: Streeting backs Trump on defence spending as PM reiterates Nato funding pledge

Wes Streeting has backed Donald Trump’s calls for European allies to contribute more to defence.

The US president has repeatedly hit out at European Nato allies and has demanded they reach 5 per cent of GDP on defence spending by 2035.

In his first speech as defence secretary, Mr Streeting said Mr Trump is “right” to ask for more, adding: “President Trump has called on Europe to carry a greater share of the burden for our own defence, and he is right to do so.”

Earlier Andy Burnham said he and John Healey will honour the UK’s commitments to Nato, which could include the agreement to allocate 3.5 per cent of GDP to defence spending.

Mr Burnham said: “We want to send a very clear message as prime minister and chancellor to our international colleagues that we will honour the commitments we’ve made as part of Nato to defence.”