Former Nato chief urges more defence cash

Former Nato chief General Sir Richard Shirreff has called on the Government to “show leadership” and increase the UK’s defence spending in the face of rising threats to national security.

A long-time critic of defence cuts and the author of book that warns of the risk of an impending conflict with Russia, he was the guest speaker at Lancashire Business View’s Lancashire Leaders event, held last night at Northcote Manor, near Langho.

In an interview with Lancashire Business View, Sir Richard, who served in the Gulf War, Northern Ireland and Iraq during his distinguished military career, said all Nato countries in Europe must pay more for their protection.

He said: “Unless Mr Trump steps forward with his commitment as president to come to the aid of any Nato member under attack, Nato begins to unravel and that is really dangerous.”

Calling for “moral courage” from political leaders, Sir Richard, who has a new career as a risk management consultant, said he wrote his book, published last year, “as a wake-up call”. He said: “If we are to do what needs to be done, the nation needs to be prepared to make sacrifices in social welfare spending and other areas.” He added: “Leadership is the ability to explain the threats and challenges. We need to bite the bullet and increase our defence spending.”