Former Nato chief to say UK’s national security ‘in peril’

Former NATO Chief Alarms Over UK’s National Security

A prominent government advisor is set to criticize the UK’s leaders for their “corrosive complacency” in defense matters, warning that the nation’s safety is at risk. Lord George Robertson, who once served as NATO’s secretary general and contributed to the government’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR), will deliver a speech on Tuesday, highlighting concerns about the Treasury’s non-military experts. He will describe their actions as “vandalism,” arguing that the country’s readiness for threats is lacking.

Delays in Defence Spending Plan

The government has committed to releasing a 10-year strategy to fund the SDR’s goals but has faced repeated delays. A spokesperson emphasized that the review is supported by a “sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War,” with over £270 billion allocated across the current parliamentary term. Despite this, Robertson will argue that the “ever-expanding welfare budget” is insufficient to secure Britain’s future.

Political Leadership and Security Risks

In a speech in Salisbury, Robertson will assert:

“We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget.”

He will also claim:

“We are underprepared. We are underinsured. We are under attack. We are not safe… Britain’s national security and safety is in peril.”

The former Labour defence secretary criticized the political leadership for ignoring “bright red signals of danger,” noting that even discussions about defence have been postponed.

Global Context and Recent Conflicts

The UK faces mounting pressure to increase military spending following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the re-election of US President Donald Trump. This has prompted NATO allies to reassess their commitments. Meanwhile, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, recently told the BBC that the UK was well-prepared for the Middle East conflict, which began on 28 February with a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran. He described the period as “probably the most dangerous time of the last 30 years.”

Defence Base Protection and Public Doubt

Some have questioned the UK’s response to recent threats, especially the deployment of a Royal Navy vessel to Cyprus to safeguard the RAF Akrotiri base from a drone attack. Despite these actions, Robertson’s critique underscores a growing concern that the government has not yet addressed the broader risks to national security. The SDR’s 3% GDP spending target by the end of the next parliament remains a key promise, though its progress has been slow.