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New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has been branded a “shifty weasel” who would do anything to advance his political career. The pointed description emerged in the wake of a robust exchange on BBC Newsnight earlier this week.

Presenter Victoria Derbyshire repeatedly pressed Mr Jarvis on reports of a £4.7 billion funding gap still to be filled in the Defence Investment Plan. Ms Derbyshire repeatedly asked whether Andy Burnham, the recently elected Labour MP for Makerfield and the man likely to be Britain’s next PM, was aware he would need to address it in his first budget. Mr Jarvis faced sustained questioning over the plan’s costings and credibility.

The underlying controversy involves a £15 billion military spending increase announced over the next four years to lift the defence budget to 2.7 % of GDP. However, a Treasury policy paper revealed that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has only identified funding for £10.3 billion of that sum.

The remaining £4.7 billion shortfall has been deferred to the 2026 Budget, leaving Mr Burnham seemingly blindsided by an impending fiscal black hole.

To secure the initial £10.3 billion, Mr Jarvis had to negotiate a controversial deal that will see other government departments forced to sacrifice 1% of their capital budgets, impacting various transport and energy infrastructure projects.

The line of questioning was somewhat reminiscent of Jeremy Paxman’s famous 1997 Newsnight interview with then-Home Secretary Michael Howard. Mr Paxman asked Mr Howard 12 times whether he had threatened to overrule the prisons chief Derek Lewis.

Mr Howard’s repeated failure to give a direct answer became a defining moment of political evasion. Observers on social media noted similar discomfort as Ms Derbyshire pursued details on defence funding.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Williams, former commanding officer of 22 SAS, endorsed a post by former RAF serviceman Al, known online as “Rush”.

Referring to the Defence Secretary, Mr Rush had written: “On the plus side, Dan Jarvis is certain to stop the hideous deification of those former military officers who moved into politics. He presents as a shifty weasel who would do anything to progress his own career.”

Lt Col Williams replied: “Well observed and well put,” while criticising the “pathetically late, underfunded and inadequate” Defence Investment Plan.

Mr Jarvis, a former Major in the Parachute Regiment who served in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan, was appointed on 11 June after John Healey resigned over the funding settlement.

Armed Forces Minister Al Carns also quit. Mr Healey publicly warned that the plan leaves the UK vulnerable, noting that military chiefs originally requested a £28 billion boost to adequately counter escalating global threats.

The DIP, published after lengthy delays, promises additional investment in drones, AI and new technology. The government describes it as a significant uplift funded by reprioritising other budgets, with Sir Keir Starmer maintaining defence is a top priority.

However, it has been criticised for not meeting the full requests of defence chiefs, forcing the immediate retirement of older military assets like Storm Shadow cruise missiles and several helicopter fleets to find efficiencies.

Lt Col Williams suggested the appointment of Mr Jarvis, with his military background, was intended to help obscure these shortcomings. A government source called the SAS veteran’s remarks unhelpful.

Supporters of the Defence Secretary point to his operational record as an asset in the role. The comments have reverberated among veterans and defence commentators, highlighting tensions over military readiness and procurement at a time of heightened global risks.

Mr Jarvis has emphasised his commitment to service personnel as he seeks to implement the plan.

Express.co.uk has contacted Mr Jarvis for comment.