Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his leadership position on Thursday, stating he has a "duty to stay on" following the resignation of his defence secretary over disagreements regarding military spending.

The Prime Minister's comments came one day after his defence secretary quit the government in what has been described as a dispute over defence funding allocations. The resignation represents a significant departure from Starmer's cabinet amid ongoing debates over government spending priorities.

Speaking publicly about the situation, Starmer characterized his approach to governance as involving "hard-edged" decisions, suggesting that difficult choices on spending and policy are necessary aspects of his role as Prime Minister.

The defence secretary's departure highlights tensions within the government over budgetary matters, particularly regarding military and defence expenditures. Such high-profile resignations typically signal deeper disagreements about policy direction or resource allocation within the administration.

The timing of the resignation and Starmer's subsequent defence of his position indicates the government is facing internal pressure over its spending decisions and overall policy approach.