Wes Streeting discusses US relations and defence spending
New Defence Secretary Wes Streeting gave an interview discussing rebuilding relations with the US, defence spending priorities, and his past comments on Trump and Israel.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The new Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, has used his first major speech at the Farnborough International Air Show to set out his vision for UK defence, focusing on rebuilding relations with the United States, boosting domestic industry, and increasing defence spending. Speaking on Monday, Streeting unveiled a contract extension with BAE Systems worth over 700 million pounds to enhance military technology, and highlighted the launch of a new combat air demonstrator, the Bron Tanax, which is part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Italy and Japan. He said the demonstrator would fly in 2027 and represented a "groundbreaking moment for UK defence" and for reindustrialisation, with BAE recruiting over 1,000 apprentices a year.
Streeting, who was moved from the health brief in the recent cabinet reshuffle, stressed that defence would not just be a recipient of economic growth but a central contributor to it. He argued that the UK must not be a bystander in the contest between tyranny and freedom. The speech came as the US carried out its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting aircraft hangars and drone storage facilities. Streeting confirmed that the UK is playing a defensive role in the Strait of Hormuz, securing British interests and assets, and is in talks with the US about future mine-clearing operations once the conflict ends.
In a separate interview with GB News, Streeting was pressed on his past comments about Donald Trump, whom he had called an "odious, sad little man" in 2017. He said those were not comments he would make today, and that he was looking forward to working with his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth. He also stood by his earlier criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank, saying he was a friend of Israel who wanted it to be secure, but that the way it had conducted itself had made the alliance difficult. He acknowledged that the question of war crimes was one for international courts, but did not retract his personal views.
The new Defence Secretary's remarks signal a shift in tone from the previous government, with an emphasis on rebuilding the transatlantic alliance and investing in British manufacturing. The Farnborough event also showcased the GCAP demonstrator, which is seen as Europe's only sixth-generation fighter programme after the collapse of the German-French rival project. Streeting is expected to give further details on his vision for combat air in a keynote speech later in the day.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News | Sky News |
|---|---|---|
| A demonstrator for the GCAP programme is expected to be in the air by 2027. | · | |
| BAE Systems is recruiting over 1000 apprentices per year. | · | |
| GCAP is a trilateral programme between Britain, Italy, and Japan. | · | |
| Streeting announced a contract extension with BAE Systems worth over £700 million. | · | |
| Streeting said defence will be a central contributor to economic growth. | · | |
| Streeting said he is critical of Israel's conduct in Gaza and does not regret those comments. | · | |
| Streeting said he would not make those comments about Trump today. | · | |
| Streeting stated that Britain will not be a bystander in the contest between freedom and tyranny. | · | |
| Wes Streeting called Donald Trump an 'odious, sad little man' in a 2017 social media post. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on the ceremonial and industrial aspects of Streeting's speech at Farnborough, highlighting the BAE contract and the GCAP demonstrator. The coverage was largely factual and promotional, with little attention to Streeting's past controversial comments or the interview with GB News. The channel also reported on US strikes on Iran as a separate but related development.
- “This launch shows that our UK industry is at the forefront of innovation and that we are open for business.”
- “Defence will not just be a recipient of the proceeds of economic growth. It will be a central contributor to building that growth.”
- “It is not yet clear whether the 21st century will be defined by tyranny or freedom. But we need not let others define the answer to that question.”
GB News focused on a direct, confrontational interview with Wes Streeting, pressing him on his past social media comments about Donald Trump and his criticism of Israel. The tone was skeptical and held the new Defence Secretary to account for his previous statements, contrasting them with his current role. The channel also covered other news headlines but gave the interview prime placement.
- “odious, sad little man”
- “Those aren't comments I would make today, no Camilla, I'm looking forward to working with my counterpart, Pete Hegseth”
- “I'm not going to resolve from the comments I made and I would just say that one of the things that has made our long-standing friendship and alliance with Israel difficult has been the way in which Israel has conducted itself, both in Gaza and in the West Bank”
Broadcast Timeline
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