Labour slams Kemi Badenoch for 'failing to back NATO allies'

Labour has slammed Kemi Badenoch for failing to back Britain's NATO allies.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard accused the Tory leader of "putting party politics first and national security last" - after she refused to confirm her support for the new NATO-wide target to spend 5% of GDP on national security.

The new benchmark was agreed by all 32 nations at the NATO summit this week, which Badenoch even criticised the Prime Minister for attending.

At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Ms Badenoch said NATO's and the Government's plans were nothing more than "hope" and "smoke and mirrors".

But Mr Pollard told the Sunday Mirror : "The world is getting more dangerous by the day, but Kemi Badenoch can't even say whether she backs the new NATO spending targets.

"It's unserious politics from an unserious Party.

"Rather than stand shoulder-to-shoulder with NATO, the US and our brave British Armed Forces, Badenoch seems to want to put party politics first - and national security last."

It comes after Ms Badenoch was accused of breaking Army cadet rules by posing for pictures while apparently 'misusing' an assault rifle.

Ms Badenoch was snapped apparently pointing the gun directly at a Cadet - in breach of regulations which state "a weapon must never be pointed at anyone in any circumstances."

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Rules also state: "A weapon must always be handled so that it points in such a direction that there is no danger if a round is accidentally fired."

The "rules for safe handling of weapons", say accidents are generally caused by "faulty or careless handling of weapons and ammunition".

A Labour source said: "The reference to "faulty or careless handling" in the guidance probably best describes her tenure as Tory leader."