The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is hiring a diversity tsar with a “spiritual edge” even as Sir Keir Starmer faces pressure to increase military spending amid looming threats posed by Russia.

The role, advertised on the government website, states that the suitable candidate will be required to “constructively challenge and critique current practice” within diversity and inclusion and will be eligible for an annual salary of up to £38,790.

A vacancy for a “culture and inclusion lead” on a similar salary is also being advertised by the MoD, a role that includes organising “wellbeing events” and “wellbeing information sessions” for the department’s police force.

Steve Barclay, a Conservative MP and former Army officer, said: “At a time when the MoD budget needs to increase to respond to the increasing threats we face, it is crucial that officials show it is being effectively spent.

“This should prioritise military equipment and troop numbers, not woke hobby horses of officials miles from the front line.”

Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to ramp up Britain’s defence budget as he considers a Europe-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine. In an article for The Telegraph on Sunday, Sir Keir announced he was “ready and willing” to put British boots on the ground in Ukraine “if necessary” to enforce any peace deal amid talks being thrashed out between Russia and the US.

However, Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, has claimed Britain’s military was “so run-down” it could not take a leading role in any deployment in Ukraine.