STORY
Diane Abbott has rejected claims that Russia poses an imminent threat to the West, describing the warning as a “NATO fiction” being used to support higher military spending. The Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said the proposed increase in defence expenditure should not proceed.
Writing on social media, Abbott said: “The imminent threat from Russia is a NATO fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump’s demands for more military spending.” Her comments came as the Government continues to face questions over how it will finance its commitments to increase defence spending in line with NATO targets.
The remarks drew criticism from Conservative politicians. A spokesperson for Kemi Badenoch called Abbott’s position “reprehensible”, while Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty accused her of being “dangerously out of touch” and said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and hostile activity directed at European countries demonstrated the need for greater defence investment. Downing Street declined to comment on Abbott’s statement.