Keir Starmer’s huge blunder aired live on Sky News.
Keir Starmer’s blunder aired live on TV (Image: Getty)
Sky News‘ usual programming was halted for breaking news as Keir Starmer addressed the nation live from Berkshire on Tuesday (June 30) to announce the government’s long-delayed defence investment plan. This came after John Healey quit as defence secretary earlier this month, claiming he had only been offered £13.5billion for the Defence Investment Plan. The new settlement involves an extra £15billion over four years, partly funded by cuts to capital budgets from other departments. Starmer vowed that this would mean the UK would be ready to fight Russia if Vladimir Putin launched an attack in 2030.
The press conference took a turn as the Prime Minister was left red-faced when receiving a question from the broadcaster’s political editor, Beth Rigby. In the unexpected moment, he introduced the journalist as “Beth from Sky Sports, Beth Rigby.” This was met with laughter, as she jokingly responded: “Sky Sports? I wish I was.”
Beth Rigby laughed off the blunder (Image: Sky News)
Realising his error, Starmer quickly shook his head and joined the crowd in laughter before correcting himself: “Sky News, Beth.”
He added: “Not Sky Sports, but I’m sure you can do that, as well.”
“Maybe one day,” Beth responded, before proceeding with her question about “Britain being on the world stage.”
Viewers also weighed in on the light-hearted moment, as one remarked: “You’ve got to hand it to the Labour leaders… Corbyn, Starmer, Burnham, they all have an incredible sense of humour.”
Another joked: “‘Beth from Sky Sports… it’s Keir from the Comedy Channel.'”
A third added: “Starmer looks like he’s had the weight of the world lifted from him now he knows he’s going. I’ve never seen him this ‘natural’ before. Makes you wonder what the job brings with it.”
Meanwhile, a fourth fumed: “It’s not light-hearted, this is the PM of the country. He is so off the ball, he can’t remember which news networks these journalists are from. It’s the same people there every time.”
As for defence investment, the Prime Minister acknowledged that other areas of Government spending would be slashed to fund defence, with cuts to road and energy projects to pay for the military.
This includes billions more for the next generation of stealth jets, with the largest ever investment in drone warfare and confirmation that the UK will buy F-35A planes capable of carrying nuclear bombs.
As a result, older equipment such as the two Type 23 frigates and older Chinook and Wildcat helicopters will be retired.