Al ministro delle Forze Armate “non è stato permesso di vedere il piano di investimenti nella difesa”

He probably has been “frozen out” mainly because it seems the DIP has devolved into a massive bun fight between Healey at the MOD and Reeves at the Treasury.

It seems Starmer is trying to broker a deal so either one or both have probably threatened to resign over the row and he really doesn’t want that happening. Losing either would seriously weaken him and boost any possible challenger and with the local elections just round the corner he could do without anyone getting ideas about a formal challenge.

It will give at some point pretty soon either he succeeds and sufficient cash is found to fund the DIP or he has to make a decision and either Healey or Reeves will be far from happy and no doubt consider their position.