A ROW over defence spending has deepened after armed forces minister James Heappey announced he will leave his government post and stand down at the next election.
The former soldier cited family reasons and a desire to “pursue a different career” in a letter to constituents.
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But a Tory MP told The Times he had been on “resignation watch” after no extra cash for defence was announced in the Budget.
Jeremy Hunt said defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of national income “as soon as economic conditions allow” but did not provide any details of how and when that would happen.
The lack of investment has prompted a backlash within the party and military ranks, with two serving ministers breaking ranks and calling for an immediate cash boost.
Mr Heappey, who was widely tipped to replace Ben Wallace as Defence Secretary, has been a longstanding advocate of more money for our troops.
He publicly threatened to quit over defence spending soon after Mr Hunt became Chancellor under Liz Truss.
Downing Street, which confirmed the former soldier currently remains in his ministerial post, denied any row over defence cash.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman, pointing to Mr Heappey’s stated desire to change career, said: “I don’t believe there is any suggestion that this is linked to defence spending.”
More than 60 Conservatives have so far said they do not plan to run, with the Commons facing a large turnover of MPs at the next election.
As of Friday, some 98 MPs have said publicly they will either be standing down or will not contest their current seat.
