Sir Keir Starmer has attacked Nigel Farage for "fawning over Putin" as he faced questions after announcing a defence spending hike today.
Pressed by GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope on whether he was "Nigel Farage in disguise" after his spending boost mirrored that promised in Reform UK's election manifesto, Starmer said: "Nigel Farage is fawning over Putin.
"That is not patriotism. That is not what working people need. What I have done is take the duty of Prime Minister seriously - ensuring our citizens are safe and secure."
"It is a decision intended to ensure that we fight for the peace that we've enjoyed for the last 80 years - so that generations to come can enjoy the freedoms that we've enjoyed."
In an address this evening which almost exactly matched his speech to the Commons, Starmer hailed the strength of Ukraine, talked up his defence spending hike, and vowed Europe "must do more" to face "generational challenges".
He also rejected questions that the only reason for the spending boost was the return of Donald Trump to the White House.
It came after the Prime Minister confirmed to MPs that defence spending will rise from its current 2.3 per cent share of GDP to 2.5 per cent in 2027.
Starmer hailed the strength of Ukraine, talked up his defence spending hike, and vowed Europe 'must do more' to face 'generational challenges'
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The Labour leader added that the hike would be funded by slashing foreign aid - which he said was an "extremely difficult and painful choice".
The Prime Minister's address comes amid mounting tensions with Russia and uncertainty over America's future commitment to European security.
Starmer earlier described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "tyrant" who "only responds to strength".
In his Commons statement on Tuesday, the PM announced "the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War".
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'Nigel Farage is fawning over Putin... That is not patriotism. That is not what working people need,' Starmer said
PABut he added that it relies on slashing Britain's foreign aid budget - which has earnt the ire of international charity bodies like Unicef in response.
His plan will see defence spending reach 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, earlier than previously planned.
"Let me spell it out, that means spending £13.4billion more on defence every year from 2027," the Prime Minister told MPs.
He continued: "We must find courage in our history, courage in who we are as a nation, because courage is what our own era now demands of us".
“We should not pretend that any of this has been easy. Working people have already felt the cost of Russian actions through rising prices and bills," Starmer added.
The PM attacked the 'Russian menace' in Parliament earlier today
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“Nonetheless, one of the great lessons of our history is that instability in Europe will always wash up on our shores, and that tyrants like Putin only respond to strength.
“Russia is a menace in our waters, in our airspace and on our streets. They have launched cyber attacks on our NHS, only seven years ago a chemical weapons attack on the streets of Salisbury.
“We must stand by Ukraine, because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, then the economic instability are threats to our security, they will only grow.
“And so as the nature of that conflict changes, as it has in recent weeks, it brings our response into sharper focus, a new era that we must meet as we have so often in the past, together, and with strength.”
