Labour's plans for new EU defence deal could be scuppered by Emmanuel Macron

By Katie Harris, Political Reporter

Keir Starmer says he doesn't want to diverge from EU

Labour's plans for a new defence deal with the EU are at risk of being scuppered by France, according to reports.

Sir Keir Starmer has made striking a security pact with Brussels a top priority if he takes power at the next general election.

Labour insiders told The Telegraph that the mood on defence cooperation had shifted due to the threat of Russia and China and the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House later this year.

One said: “There’s a wide acceptance that European allies are going to have to do more and, if EU allies are to pick up more of the slack, an UK-EU security pact helps."

But an EU official warned that Emmanuel Macron is set to "push back" due to fears France's defence industry would face British competition.

It comes after the French President was left furious by the Aukus submarine deal which saw Australia abandon a contract with France in favour of the UK.

Under the plans being drawn up by Labour, a new UK-EU body would be set up to oversee defence ties.

Sir Keir, who backed Remain and a second referendum, is eyeing up the defence agreement to mark the start of an era of closer relations with the bloc.

The party hopes it would open the door to more cooperation in other areas.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, an arch-Remainer, last month argued that Russia's war in Ukraine shows the UK needs a defence pact with the EU.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Lammy said: "It’s absolutely fundamental that the United Kingdom and Europe have the closest of relationships and the Brexit era is over, the situation is settled."