SIR Keir Starmer battled yet more friendly fire to his fragile leadership today as he faced further resignations over military spending.

Another blow was dealt to the Prime Minister after armed forces minister Al Carns followed defence secretary John Healey in quitting over the furious funding row.

Mr Carns said the defence investment plan (Dip) was not ”transformative enough” and looked backward rather than forward.

The former Royal Marines officer, who traded his military career for Westminster, said there were problems with both funding and the type of military equipment being bought.

Two defence ministerial aides, Pamela Nash and Rachel Hopkins, also resigned in another knock to Sir Keir.

They come as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham hopes to return to Westminster in next week’s Makerfield by-election.

He is expected to mount a Labour leadership challenge if he is elected.

But Sir Keir insisted that he “will fight” any leadership challenge, not out of “stubbornness” or “vanity” but from a “deep sense of duty.”

He said: “I’m not going to go away. I don’t think we should plunge the country into the chaos of a leadership election.

“I don’t think it should happen, but if it does then I will fight.”

Yet the premier admitted that he has “got to turn things around” if he is going to remain as Prime Minister.

New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton have met Sir Keir for talks.

Downing Street said the Dip was still being finalised and will be published before the Nato summit in July.

Military chiefs have called for around £28 billion over four years, while a figure of around £18 billion had been sought by officials in Whitehall.

Action on Armed Violence human rights group executive director Dr Iain Overton said: “Britain is already committed to huge and impactful increases in defence expenditure.

“The UK is facing the largest sustained rise of defence spending since the cold war.

“Healey and Carns may believe they are standing up for Britain’s security. The truth is this: there will never be enough money to satiate the military-industrial complex.”