Germany’s Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned following a series of blunders and PR disasters. It comes as Berlin comes under rising pressure to allow the delivery of German-built battle tanks to Ukraine.

Ms Lambrecht was mocked for her announcement that Germany was supporting Ukraine by sending 5,000 military helmets. She was also widely criticised for failing to improve Germany’s notoriously ill-equipped armed forces. This was despite the provision of €100bn (£88bn) for that task following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.