Starmer in 'seismic' crisis, UK defense chief quits before high-stakes Trump NATO summit

The article reports that U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey resigned after a dispute with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over delayed defense spending plans, highlighting growing political strain in London and rising pressure from Washington and NATO allies. Starmer reportedly resisted committing to clear defense-spending timelines, instead offering a lower spending path than Healey wanted. The resignation creates uncertainty around the U.K.’s Defense Investment Plan and may weaken confidence in Britain’s readiness ahead of an important NATO summit. Market impact is indirect but relevant for defense and geopolitical risk sentiment: the news underscores Europe’s rearmament theme and could support defense contractors, while keeping pressure on policymakers to increase military budgets amid continued Trump-led criticism of allies’ spending shortfalls.