Bob Ainsworth MP, Labour's Defence Secretary, today challenged the Conservatives to come clean on their plans for defence spending, saying:

"If George Osborne wants to be honest about defence spending then he should start by telling Liam Fox that he intends to slash the Armed Forces' budget to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy few.

"No matter what the economic circumstances might be - and no matter what the defence requirements the future may hold - George Osborne has set a Conservative course for deep cuts to the defence budget.

"Instead of making spending commitments he can't afford, Liam Fox deserves a straight answer from George Osborne.

"Even more importantly so do the British public.

"Where would the axe fall and which projects would they cut?"