Tory MP says Britain should have built three Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers

Alec Shelbrooke made the call during the ‘Britain in the World’ debate in parliament.

The Elmet and Rothwell MP raised his concerns over the UK’s military budget.

He told MPs he would ‘make no apology’ for saying Whitehall ‘must have another proper look at the Royal Navy’.

‘Lots of people criticised the amount of money spent on the aircraft carriers, but I will be controversial and say that I would have another one,’ Mr Shelbrooke added.

He also criticised a decision not to build more Type 45 destroyers.

‘It was a mistake to deliver only six of the 12 destroyers,’ he said. ‘In fact, the other six destroyers would not have cost half as much to make as the original six, because it was all in the programme.

‘We have a good frigate programme, but we need more. We should be looking at more minesweepers, which are flexible and versatile ships that can be used either to patrol our waters or to help in problem areas.’