Defence Secretary tells Armed Forces he'll rely on their experience and honesty

The Defence Secretary has told the Armed Forces he will rely on their experience, honesty and dedication to solve the issues facing the military.

John Healey has taken over from Grant Shapps, having spent four years in the shadow cabinet.

In his first address to the men and women of the Armed Forces, he told them he was "more interested in results than photo opportunities".

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"I look forward to learning from your experience and hearing your ideas about how we can develop one defence," he said.

"I will rely on your experience, your honesty. 

"I'll rely on your dedication to solve the problems, in delivering the government's defence plans. And I know I will also be inspired by what you do."

Mr Healey, who heads to a Nato summit in Washington DC this week, reiterated that Labour will be "a government that respects all".

"So we will have an Armed Forces and Civil Service, drawing on all the talents," he said.

"We'll have a culture that values all, and we'll have zero tolerance for any abuse, in the military or the Civil Service.

"We must forge one defence, one mission: to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad."

Mr Healey, who served under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in the previous two Labour governments, told military personnel they will have his "fullest support".

"We know there are serious problems – with our Armed Forces hollowed out and underfunded for 14 years," he said.

"And this government now is totally committed to 2.5% of defence spending, to Nato, to the nuclear deterrent and to support Ukraine.

"The country has new leadership. This ministry has new leadership. 

"Our mission is to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad, with the guiding principle of one defence."