EU demands UK must PAY to join new defence pact as Starmer outwitted by Von Der Leyen

Sir Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen

Sir Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Getty)

Britain must pay to join a European Union defence fund, according to reports.

The UK and the EU are set to sign a defence and security deal at a summit next month.

But a second agreement will be required before British companies will be able to bid for the new €150 billion EU defence fund, according to diplomats and officials involved in the negotiations.

An EU diplomat told the Financial Times: “The pact is a nonbinding instrument. The more difficult hurdle is going to be a bilateral agreement that would include a financial contribution."