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Badenoch Slams UK PM For Cutting Defence Funding Amid Global Threats

Published

6 months ago

February 23, 2025

Editor

The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, has condemned the British government’s decision to cancel the planned increase in defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, calling it “indefensible” amid rising global threats.

In a letter dated February 22, 2025, Badenoch accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to act decisively on national security, warning that “these decisions cannot be delayed.”

She argued that with Russia escalating its aggression and former U.S. President Donald Trump insisting that NATO allies contribute more, Britain risks losing its leadership position in global security.

“Your decision to cancel that planned expenditure and reverse the commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2030 is indefensible,” she wrote in the letter, which she also shared on X on Sunday.

She queried, “Why did you think, as it became apparent that Russia was trying to strengthen its hand in the conflict, that cancelling planned increases in defence expenditure up to 2030 was right?”

Badenoch highlighted the worsening security landscape in Europe, stressing that “the threat picture in Europe has worsened.”

She also pointed out the Prime Minister’s apparent contradiction in suggesting that British troops could be deployed in Ukraine while simultaneously refusing to boost military spending.

“And yet, at the same time as offering a major new deployment of British military forces on the frontline with Russia, you refused to accept the case for increasing defence expenditure now,” she stated.

The Opposition leader urged the government to restore the planned spending increase and commit to further defence investments before the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to meet President Trump.

“As a bare minimum, you should adopt the plan sitting on your desk – set out by your predecessor – to fund the increase to 2.5 per cent. And you should announce this before your imminent visit to see President Trump. But you will need to go further and faster.”

Calls for Budget Reallocation

Badenoch proposed redirecting funds from other areas to bolster defence, suggesting that “some of the 0.5 per cent of GDP currently spent on Overseas Development should be repurposed – at least in the short term – to fund the more pressing defence and security challenges, because every pound of taxpayers’ money spent overseas must be directly furthering our safety and stability.”

She also criticised the government’s welfare policies, arguing that the Welfare Secretary’s current approach prioritises increased welfare spending over national security.

“The Welfare Secretary is now reportedly considering such policies, having previously rejected them. This is, of course, welcome, but there are reports she is seeking to spend any savings on further welfare, rather than critical national priorities such as defence,” the letter read.

Chagos Islands Controversy

Badenoch further attacked the government’s handling of the Chagos Islands, calling it an “indefensible surrender of British territory.”

She warned against striking a rushed deal with Mauritius that would see Britain cede control of the islands.

“You should not be concluding a deal that would mean British taxpayers paying Mauritius billions of pounds to take our territory,” she wrote, demanding clarity on whether defence funds were being used for the negotiations.

‘Procrastination Over Action’
The letter concluded with a strong warning about the consequences of inaction.

“I will always back you when you do the right thing. But I will not be silent about the risks facing our country and our security. History has been unforgiving to politicians who, faced with growing threats, chose procrastination over action,” it concluded.

Headline

Leader Of UK Christian Group Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Women

Published

4 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Chris Brain, 68, the leader of a UK Christian group once backed by the Church of England, has been convicted of sexually abusing nine women in his congregation.

A jury delivered the final verdicts on Thursday.

‎Brain led the Nine O’Clock Service, an evangelical movement in Sheffield during the 1980s and 1990s. The group was known for its nightclub-style worship, held at 9 p.m. on Sundays, which included live music and drew large crowds of young people.

‎Prosecutors said Brain used his authority to control members of the congregation, isolating them from family and friends, and used his position to commit sexual assaults. He also maintained a group of young women known as the “lycra nuns” who assisted him, his wife, and his daughter at home, prosecutor Tim Clark told the court.

‎The leader of the UK Christian group was charged with 36 counts of indecent assault and one count of rape involving 13 women between 1981 and 1995. He denied the charges, claiming any sexual contact was consensual.

‎Following a trial at Inner London Crown Court, he was convicted of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. He was acquitted of 15 other charges, while the jury could not reach a verdict on four additional indecent assault charges and the rape allegation. The Crown Prosecution Service said it would “carefully consider” whether to seek a retrial.

‎The Nine O’Clock Service had received approval from the Church of England. In 1990, the Archbishop of Canterbury-elect George Carey met with Brain to discuss his methods, and his ordination was expedited. Prosecutors said the group even spent heavily to purchase the costume worn by Robert De Niro in the 1986 film The Mission for his ceremony.

‎Brain resigned shortly before a BBC documentary aired in 1995, accusing him of inappropriate sexual behaviour. Carey later said he was “crushed and let down” when the allegations became public.

‎In court, Brain admitted to receiving massages from congregation members that sometimes became sexual but denied manipulating or controlling them.

‎Bishop of Sheffield Pete Wilcox said in a statement: “What happened was an appalling abuse of power and leadership that should never have occurred. Where concerns were raised in the past and were not acted upon properly, that was a failing of the Church. For those institutional failures, I offer an unreserved apology.”

Headline

Russia Claims More Ukraine Land As Hopes For Summit Fade

Published

4 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Russia on Saturday said its forces had taken two villages in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, increasing the military pressure as world leaders struggle to broker an end to the conflict.

South Africa added its voice to those calling for a summit between Ukraine and Russia.

Russian forces are slowly advancing in the embattled eastern region of Donetsk, grinding closer to Kyiv’s key defensive line in costly metre-for-metre battles.

Moscow’s defence ministry said on Telegram that its forces had captured the villages of Sredneye and Kleban-Byk.

The taking of Kleban-Byk would mark a further advance towards Kostiantynivka — a key fortified town on the road to Kramatorsk, where a major Ukrainian logistics base is located.

On Friday, Russia said its troops had captured three villages in the Donetsk region it claimed to have annexed in September 2022.

On Saturday, Ukrainian military officials said its forces had stopped a Russian advance and recaptured the village of Zeleny Gai in the Donetsk region in a post to Telegram.

In July, Russia claimed the capture of the village, on the border with Dnipropetrovsk, adding that it was an important stronghold used by Ukraine to protect the area.

– Ramaphosa backs summit –
The latest Russian advances come as hopes dim for a summit between Russian and Ukrainian presidents — a solution championed by US President Donald Trump as part of his efforts to end the conflict.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday added his voice to calls for a Russia-Ukraine summit during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and the United States as key to signal a firm commitment to ending the war,” said a statement from his office.

Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the G20, also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, the statement added. He will speak with other European leaders in the coming weeks.

Ramaphosa spoke on Monday with Vladimir Putin, whom he described in October at the BRICS summit as a “dear ally” and a “valued friend”.

However, for the first time since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, South Africa earlier this year backed a UN resolution declaring that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky said he had told Ramaphosa he was ready for any kind of meeting with Putin.

“However, we see that Moscow is once again trying to drag everything out even further,” he said on X.

He called on the Global South to send “relevant signals and (push) Russia toward peace”.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “no meeting” was planned as Trump’s mediation efforts appeared to stall, while Zelensky accused Russia of trying to prolong the offensive.

AFP

Headline

US Suspends Work Visas For Nigerian, Foreign Truck Drivers

Published

17 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The United States government has suspended the issuance of work visas for Nigerian and other foreign truck drivers, citing job security concerns and safety risks for American citizens.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Thursday, saying it takes immediate effect.

According to him, the rising number of foreign truck drivers on U.S. highways is both threatening lives and reducing opportunities for American truckers.

“Effective immediately, we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.

“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio said.

The move comes under President Donald Trump’s renewed clampdown on immigration since returning to office in January 2025.

As part of new measures, travellers from countries with high visa overstay rates or weak travel databases will be required to pay a bond of $5,000 to $15,000 before obtaining certain categories of visas.

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria also directed all visa applicants to disclose their social media handles from the past five years, warning that failure to comply could result in denial of applications and possible ineligibility for future visas.