In a widely-condemned move announced on Twitter, the US President on Wednesday said transgender people would be banned from serving “in any capacity” in the military.

He said the US military needed to be “decisive and overwhelming” and "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail".

British defence chiefs were quick to support the service of transgender people in the military.

Rear Admiral Alex Burton, Commander UK Maritime Forces, said on Twitter that the military opposed discrimination, adding: “We're a better fighting force for it".

Sir Michael, who was visiting Sydney for ministerial talks with his Australian counterpart, said he had “made it very clear” that all three of the armed services should be open to transgender people and that women should be able to serve in all branches of the military.