Al Carns refuses return to government - again taking aim at defence spending plans

The former armed forces minister confirmed that he had been offered a role in Andy Burnham's team by chief whip Annelise Midgely.

He wrote on X: "I had a good conversation with the Chief Whip today where she offered me a return to government. After careful thought, I declined, with respect and with thanks.

"I resigned in June because I did not believe the defence funding on the table was adequate for the threats this country faces. I said so publicly and I still stand by every word."

Mr Carns sensationally quit the government in June after the publication of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which he and then-defence secretary John Healey said would make Britain vulnerable to attacks.

In his letter to Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Carns described the forthcoming defence investment plan as "not built for the threat we face".

He added: "It is neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded. We are asking our Armed Forces to operate in a more dangerous world on a budget written for a calmer one."

Mr Carns had long been rumoured to covet the Labour leadership - but eventually ruled himself out of standing to replace Keir Starmer and backed Andy Burnham.