US steps up pressure on UK military spending - but Downing St won't commit

Downing Street will not say whether the UK will continue to be Europe's biggest-spending military power, despite a challenge from the US to boost Britain's defence budget.In a leaked letter, US defence secretary James Mattis has written to his UK counterpart Gavin Williamson to express concern Britain's status as a leading military power "is at risk of erosion".Mr Williamson is currently lobbying Downing Street and the Treasury himself for more cash for the UK's armed forces, as part of a Whiteh