Tories ‘duck’ 2% defence spending pledge

The Telegraph is reporting that the Conservatives do not intend to commit to meeting the Nato target of spending 2% of national income on defence.

Defence chiefs and MPs from the right of the Conservative party have lobbied the Prime Minister hard to make the commitment. Barack Obama has also urged Mr Cameron to commit to the 2% figure.

The paper says a “well placed source” has said that they will not make such a commitment when they unveil their election manifesto on Tuesday.

Senior military figures, including General Sir Richard Shirreff, the British officer who until last year was Nato’s deputy commander in Europea and General Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army have reacted with disappointment at the story.

Ukip have been quick to jump on the suggestion that the Conservatives will not meet the pledge. Patrick O’Flynn, the party’s economic spokesman, suggested that defence spending should be prioritised over foriegn aid.

He added: “Despite his party’s failure to pledge 2% of GDP for defence, I shall not be claiming Michael Fallon plans to stab Britain in the back.”

Yesterday Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, dodged questions about committing to the 2% pointing to next week’s manifesto and the fact he will be speaking again about defence today. We’ll bring you his reaction to the Telegraph claims when he speaks.