Defence U-turn begs the question

THE PRIME Minister told MPs his government was prepared to change defence purchases when the costs change, amid speculation of a U-turn on fighters for Britain’s new aircraft carriers.

David Cameron said the approach marked a stark change from the last Labour government, suggesting money had been wasted previously.

He was responding to Scottish Labour MP Tom Greatrex who insisted the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) was “unravelling”.

Mr Cameron responded by saying: “The real mistake and error was inheriting a £38 billion black hole in the defence budget.”