Starmer 'must use Trump threat to fix Brexit damage'

Michael Heseltine urges PM to set up alternative defence structures with Germany and France in case Nato fails

- DAVID MADDOX

A major Brexit rethink is needed on defence and security, leading to a single European military command structure and defence of the continent’s borders, Lord Michael Heseltine has warned.

The former deputy prime minister believes the threat of Donald Trump’s administration has opened the doors for Sir Keir Starmer to have a much more profound repair of the damage of Brexit beyond the limited ambitions of his reset talks.

Writing in The Independent, the Tory peer, who played a significant role in the Remain campaign, has issued his warning in the wake of Mr Trump’s shocking actions in withdrawing military aid and intelligence from Ukraine.

Sir Keir is leading with defence as he presses ahead with his Brexit reset talks with Brussels.

Lord Heseltine, a former defence secretary under Margaret Thatcher, said the behaviour of the US president means that the UK and its European allies now need to set up alternative military structures because they can no longer rely on the US as an ally.