Theresa May to call on EU leaders to spend more money on defence during Malta summit

Theresa May will call on EU leaders to spend more money on defence during a summit in Malta today, in the wake of support she secured from Donald Trump following his call for other countries to pay more.

The Prime Minister will reiterate the American President's promise to continue to support NATO after he raised doubts about his stance on the alliance during the election campaign. 

But she will warn that unless European countries also step up to the plate the EU will not be properly equipped to face the challenges ahead. 

It came as the Prime Minister of Malta warned the UK will be a "junior partner" in any trade deal with the EU and must pay a fee to leave the bloc.

Speaking ahead of the summit Joseph Muscat, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Council, issued a stark warning to Britain. 

He said: "I do believe the UK is in a very delicate situation, right now. It is fetching a free trade deal with Europe and eventually the United States.

"In both trade deals it will be the junior partner ...I think it is a balancing job the Prime Minister must make. I will not judge her on the choices she makes.

"But it is pretty clear she needs to choose her priorities well."

Mrs May was understood to have been delighted with Mr Trump's support for NATO which was publicly confirmed during a press conference between the two leaders in Washington last week. 

The Prime Minister repeated the claim in the House of Commons this week as evidence of the UK's influence over American defence policy and the importance of the special relationship.

It follows a stark warning from the US President that some Nato partners are not paying their fair share and expect larger countries to pick up the bill for defence.

May will also pledge the UK's continued support to tackling migration pressures on the continent after Brexit during the summit in Valletta and is expected to offer leaders the country's continued support as a strong and trusted friend. 

The Prime Minister is expected to hold a series of talks with EU leaders in the margins of the summit after the morning session on migration but she has not been invited to the afternoon discussion, which is expected to focus on issues affecting the other 27 nations post-Brexit.