Defence secretary questioned by MPs over timing of Healey quitting and tanker seizure

The Guardian World Monday 15 June 2026, 19:29 UTC By Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor 1 min read

Key Points

Dan Jarvis under pressure about why Russian oil tanker in Channel was captured days after his predecessor resignedDan Jarvis has told MPs that the Russian oil tanker seized on Sunday had been monitored for several days as he deflected suggestions that its seizure had been ordered by a prime minister under pressure after the resignation of John Healey last week. The new defence secretary, flanked supportively in the Commons by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the Smyrtos had been “closely...

Dan Jarvis under pressure about why Russian oil tanker in Channel was captured days after his predecessor resigned

Dan Jarvis has told MPs that the Russian oil tanker seized on Sunday had been monitored for several days as he deflected suggestions that its seizure had been ordered by a prime minister under pressure after the resignation of John Healey last week.

The new defence secretary, flanked supportively in the Commons by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the Smyrtos had been “closely tracked” as he faced a question from the Conservatives as to why the capture took place over the weekend.

Healey (ORG) Dan Jarvis (PERSON) Russian (ORG) Channel (ORG) Jarvis (PERSON) John Healey (PERSON) Commons (ORG) Rachel Reeves (PERSON) Smyrtos (PERSON) Conservatives (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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Defence secretary questioned by MPs over timing of Healey quitting and tanker seizure

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