America is the cornerstone of Nato and will not abandon the alliance, Britain’s Defence Secretary has said.

John Healey said he had spoken to Pete Hegseth, his US counterpart, who made clear that “America is not stepping away”, in an attempt to allay fears that Donald Trump could walk away from the organisation.

The discussion comes after Pentagon reports that Mr Trump was considering removing a four-star US general from overseeing all Nato military operations in Europe – a post that has been held by an American for nearly 75 years.

But the Defence Secretary dismissed the prospect that the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Saceur) could go to another nation.

Speaking at Wellington Barracks, Mr Healey said the role has “always been an American”.

“That is what I want to continue to see,” he said. “The Americans have been the cornerstone of Nato and in my discussions with Secretary Hegseth, he’s made very clear that one and the same time they are challenging rightly European nations like the UK to step up and do more.

“America is not stepping away, so for me there is no vacancy, there is no question that it’s not and should not be an American Saceur.”