MP Alan Brown has questioned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over plans to decommission several Royal Navy vessels as strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen continue.

The Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP questioned the possibility of future decommissioning of HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll.

The SNP member also raised the possibility that two other vessels, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, could be scrapped.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Alan said: "The Prime Minister spoke about maritime security in the region, particularly in relation to stemming illegal arms getting into Yemen.

"How will the UK's ability to contribute to wider maritime security be affected by considerations of decommissioning HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll after multimillion-pound refits, and when will we make a final decision on whether to mothball HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark?"

The Prime Minister told the Commons that he was committed to making sure the UK was up to the task of defending merchant shipping from Houthi attacks from Yemen.

He said: "As the honourable gentleman can see, we absolutely have the capabilities and personnel we need to contribute to allied operations such as Prosperity Guardian, and to take action in self-defence, as we have done.

"We will always ensure that our armed forces have the investment that they need, and under this and previous Governments they have continued to receive very significant investment, which is set to rise in the years ahead."