UK ‘will play a leading role in Europe’s defence after Brexit’
THE DEFENCE Secretary has said the United Kingdom will continue to bring “peace, stability and security” after Brexit.
Gavin Williamson claimed the “military superpower” will continue to play a leading role in defence after leaving the European Union.
Scarborough-born Mr Williamson was speaking at the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill in Edinburgh to announce the name of a new frigate, the HMS Edinburgh, which will be built on the Clyde.
He said: “Britain has always played a major role in terms of defending not just continental Europe but bringing peace and stability right around the world.
“The cornerstone of defence for Europe and the North Atlantic is not the European Union, it’s Nato that’s delivered security in Europe for the last 69 years and that is something that Britain leads in.
“We’re absolutely integral to bringing that stability. We’re the biggest investor in our armed forces of any nation in Europe, we are Europe’s military superpower and it’s Britain’s role in bringing that security.
“It’s not just about making Britain more secure, it’s making the whole of continental Europe more secure as well, but that’s done through Nato.
“We are going to be continuing to invest more and more in defence over the next few years and this is something I think that everyone recognises is really important.”
Mr Williamson also said he believes Theresa May’s Brexit deal will pass when it is put to a vote in the House of Commons in just under two weeks’ time, despite a number of Conservative MPs, including several who resigned from her Cabinet, indicating they will vote it down.
“The Prime Minister has been out there, the British people voted to leave the European Union in 2016 and it’s delivering Brexit, making sure that we have the very best deal,” said Mr Williamson yesterday.
Separately, Security Minister Ben Wallace warned yesterday that a no-deal Brexit would leave both the EU and UK at greater risk.
Mr Wallace warned that departing the bloc without an agreement would have a “real impact” on the ability of authorities to protect the public.
In a speech to law enforcement and security leaders, he argued that the Brexit deal secured by the Prime Minister “strikes the right balance to keep everyone safe”.