Boris Johnson has been accused of making a “secret” retreat in the battle against terrorism.
It follows the revelation £400million is being slashed from a fund that tackles Isis extremism at its roots in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
The cut was buried in the recent Government spending review which boosts military spending by £16.5billion over four years and was hailed by the PM as ending “an era of retreat”.
But Labour ’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, Lisa Nandy, says Mr Johnson’s boast masked the fact the Conflict Security and Stability Fund budget was being slashed from £1.2bn a year to £800m.
The fund helps combat the influence of Isis through intelligence and education, disrupts cyber-terrorists and is in the frontline against misinformation about Covid vaccines.
Ms Nandy said: “ Boris Johnson ’s Government is leaving a gaping hole in our defences by the backdoor.”
The Wigan MP added: “This secret cut comes when national security should be an absolute top priority where it matters. Terrorism, cyber attacks, disinformation and organised crime pose a serious threat to people across the UK.
“The Government’s own national security advisers say these are among the biggest threats to our country.”
Labour will attempt to amend the forthcoming National Security and Investment Bill, which deals with foreign company takeovers, to include a wider definition of national security.
It wants energy supply, climate risk and human rights violations covered.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was approached for a comment.
