Sir Keir Starmer has claimed that work has started on deepening cooperation with Europe to tackle illegal migration, as the new prime minister used the European Political Community summit to declare that Britain is “back on the world stage”.
Announcing new deals with Slovakia and Slovenia to tackle organised crime and £84m of funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East in a bid to tackle illegal migration “at source”, the PM insisted Thursday’s summit at Blenheim Palace represented the start of a “reset” in Britain’s international relationships.
The work has started on deepening the UK’s cooperation with Europe on defence, security and illegal migration, Sir Keir Starmer said, vowing to “smash the gangs, break their business model and secure our borders”.
Following the 47-member summit, Sir Keir insisted there was “a real appetite” for a Britain “which is back on the international scene, playing a leading part with maturity”, as he claimed “most of the leaders – if not all of them – are leaving here with a sense of renewed confidence in their relationship with the UK.
Key Points
- Keir Starmer insists ‘work has started' with Europe to tackle migration ‘crisis'
- ‘There is a real sense Britain is back on the world stage’, claims PM
- Top EU diplomat hails Starmer’s ‘new tone’ on improving post-Brexit relations
- David Lammy warns UK ‘nowhere near’ negotiating Brexit agreements
- Labour government pressured to recognise state of Palestine ‘immediately'
- Liz Truss ramps up row with civil service chief
UK has ‘unshakeable commitment’ to Nato, says Starmer
20:22
Andy Gregory
The UK has an “unshakeable commitment” to Nato, Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated.
Re-emphasising his commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent at a press conference at the EPC summit on Thursday, the prime minister said he had also made this clear at the Nato summit in Washington earlier this month.
He added: “We stand full square on Nato, as a Labour government, proud signatories to the original Nato treaty. We are as committed today, it’s an unshakeable commitment to Nato, my own personal assessment is that Nato is as important if not more important today than it’s been for many years.”
Starmer insists EU leaders can have ‘renewed confidence’ in their relationship with the UK
20:03
David Hughes, PA
European leaders can have a “renewed confidence” in their relationships with the UK, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he sought to build bridges after years of Brexit troubles.
He wants to strike a security pact with the EU and address some of the trading problems under the current Brexit deal.
“We can only make progress on the issues that so many people care about, like illegal migration and national security, If we have the maturity and leadership to reach out a hand to our European friends,” he said.
Sir Keir added: “I’m really pleased that most of the leaders, if not all of them, are leaving here with a sense of renewed confidence in their relationship with the UK.”
A key sign of his desire to repair relations was a public commitment that he would “never withdraw” from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), after the Conservatives had flirted with the idea of pulling out of the agreement.
Watch: Starmer and Zelensky embrace as new prime minister hosts first major European summit
19:56
Andy Gregory
Politics Explained | Can Keir Starmer take the brakes off Britain’s rail network?
19:39
Andy Gregory
Renationalising the railways would fulfil Labour’s election promise.
In this Politics Explained piece, The Independent’s associate editor Sean O’Grady takes a closer look at how the new government plans to do it:
Whitehall appointments vetting system ‘bust and needs fixing’ – watchdog
19:18
Andy Gregory
The system around vetting former ministers when they enter new jobs to prevent a revolving door of appointments is “bust and needs fixing”, a watchdog has said.
Lord Pickles – chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) – urged the Labour government to make “long overdue” improvements to the rules within its first weeks.
Full report: Starmer puts UK front and centre of Europe at summit to re-establish ‘closer relationship’
19:01
Andy Gregory
Keir Starmer declared that Britain was “back on the international stage” as he sought to put the UK at the centre of European co-operation and build closer ties with the continent.
Just 13 days into his premiership he scored his first major success as European leaders hailed his plan for a new era in post-Brexit relations.
Hosting them at a summit in Oxfordshire, he also suggested he was open to dealing with the small boats crisis by processing migrants offshore, saying he was a “pragmatist”.
My colleagues Kate Devlin and Tom Watling have the full report on today’s proceedings at Blenheim Palace:
Watch: Starmer pledges £84m of funding for Africa and Middle East to ease ‘migration crisis’
18:46
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer accuses previous government of ‘dereliction of duty’ on migration
18:16
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer accused the previous government of a “dereliction of duty” on migration, during his press conference at the end of the European Political Community summit.
The PM said: “We’ve got record numbers this year. We can’t switch that in 24 hours, one week. Two weeks ago today we were still knocking on doors asking people to vote for us. We can’t turn it around that quickly, but the frustration that I have in relation to prisons is across this as well.”
He added: “I’m pleased that we are making up ground, we will continue to do it at pace, but we have been left in a really difficult position yet again by this government which has, it’s been a dereliction of duty because border control is about our national security.
“And rather than address it with a serious answer, they addressed it with a gimmick. The gimmick didn’t work, and we’re left with a very serious situation to try and turn around.”
Starmer claims ‘real sense that Britain is back on the world stage'
18:10
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed there is a “real sense that Britain is back on the world stage” as he claimed fellow European leaders “are leaving here with a sense of renewed confidence in their relationship with the UK”.
The prime minister told a press conference at Blenheim Palace: “It’s been a very successful session today of the EPC.
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to host it and to be able to host it here in this splendid place, with the weather – which we can’t take the credit for – has added to the real sense that Britain is back on the world stage.
“And I’m really pleased that most of the leaders if not all of them are leaving here with a sense of renewed confidence in their relationship with the UK, with a real understanding of what we mean by a ‘reset’, and I think looking forward to deepening the bilateral relations that we have with all of them.
“That’s been very much a theme of today.”
Starmer praises Sunak as ‘generous and statesmanlike’ post-election
18:08
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to “build on the relationship that Rishi Sunak put in place” with Italy’s hard-right premier Giorgia Meloni.
Praising his predecessor, the prime minister said Mr Sunak has “been incredibly statesmanlike and generous since the election”, adding: “And I thought he made that very clear in the way that he replied to the King’s Speech yesterday.
“The relationship that he struck up with Italy was important. We’ve got a long relationship between our two countries and we’ve both had the opportunity today to make clear that we want to continue with that strength of relationship.”
Starmer says ‘I didn’t come into politics to sit on the opposition benches losing every vote'
18:04
Andy Gregory
Asked about how it feels to be hosting today’s summit weeks after being in opposition, Sir Keir Starmer said: “We’ve worked really hard to get into a position to win an election. We’ve spent 14 years in opposition arguing about what ought to happen, what must happen.
“Now we get the chance to actually deliver for the country. I hope that in the last two weeks I’ve been able to at least give the sense of how we intend to go about that task, as a task of service, a government of service, serving those who voted for us and those who didn’t vote for us.
“And a government that says ‘it’s country first, party second’. And therefore no more gimmicks, no more party policy masquerading as a serious answer to a question, but driven by service.”
He added: “I came into politics late in life. I didn’t come into politics to sit on the opposition benches, voting and losing every night – I’ve tried that, didn’t like it very much. It is much better to be able to deliver on the change that I think is desperately needed across our country.”
‘Real appetite’ for UK to play ‘leading part on international scene’, says Starmer
17:56
Andy Gregory
There is a “real appetite” for a UK “which is back on the international scene, playing a leading part with maturity, and with a different stance in relation to our relations with Europe – both inside the EU and beyond”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The PM added: “And yes, we do want to get a better [post-Brexit] deal than the deal we’ve got at the moment. We understand the challenge and constraints of any discussions, of course we do. But I do think there’s a closer relationship to be had that includes trade, includes education and research, and includes security.
“That is partly what we mean by the ‘reset’. I think that is understood by our partners and colleagues here. And my strong impression is that we’ve been able to make some real progress today.”
Starmer refuses to rule out offshore processing of asylum-seekers
17:52
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out offshore processing centres for asylum-seekers.
Asked by the Daily Mail, the PM said: “I am a practical person, I’m a pragmatist, and I’ve always said we’ll look at what works. And where cases can be processed closer to origin, then that is something which of course ought to be looked at.
“The reason I’m putting it this way is because the emphasis today was very much on the practicalities of dealing with the gangs in the first place.”
Starmer says he spoke to Trump about ‘special relationship' after assassination attempt
17:49
Andy Gregory
Asked by Sky News about Donald Trump’s pick for his prospective vice president, JD Vance – who has been critical of further aid for Ukraine – Sir Keir Starmer said: “We will work with whoever is elected into office, as you would expect”.
“That is what I mean about maturity and leadership, not just within Europe but more widely,” he said, adding: “The special relationship that is there between the US and the UK was forged in the most difficult of circumstances, has endured a very long time and we are committed to it.
“I expressed my commitment to Joe Biden and I spoke to President Trump on Sunday evening after the assassination attempt, where again the special relationship featured in our discussion.”
Starmer says there is a European ‘commitment’ to amp up ammunition manufacturing
17:45
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer has said there is a European commitment to an industrial strategy to deal with the shortfall in ammunition production facing allies of Ukraine.
He said he would not “pre-empt” anything after quizzed on the prospect that Europe’s manufacturing limitations meant it would not be able to meaningfully push back against any future American decision to force Ukraine into peace talks.
Any ‘silver bullet’ on small boat crossings ‘would have been fired long time ago’, says Starmer
17:40
Andy Gregory
Any “easy silver bullet” to tackle small boat crossings would have “been fired a long time ago”, Keir Starmer has said, following remarks by French president Emmanuel Macron to that effect earlier today.
“It’s difficult, it’s hard, it’s challenging,” he said, adding: “It’s a very serious problem and it requires a very serious response. That’s why we’ve put aside the gimmick of Rwanda.”
He added: “This is the first time the EPC has discussed this as a primary issue – that’s really important.”
A consensus that the focus must be on smuggling gangs was a really important moment, the PM said.
Watch live: Starmer holds news conference during European summit as he seeks urgent migration deal
17:36
Andy Gregory
Starmer pledges £84m of funding for Africa and Middle East to ease ‘migration crisis’
17:34
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer has announced £84m of new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East in a bid to tackle illegal migration “at source”.
The funding will include humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities and access to education, said the prime minister, dubbing this “a vital part of gripping the migration crisis”.
He added: “And it shows how we’re going to do business on the world stage. We are facing up to the huge problems beyond our shores, because these problems echo at home. The effects play out on our streets. And in a dangerous world, we help no one and solve nothing by turning inward. We have to step forward and lead.”
Starmer says work has begun on greater cooperation with Europe on illegal migration
17:31
Andy Gregory
The work has started on deepening the UK’s cooperation with Europe on defence, security and illegal migration, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The prime minister vowed to “smash the gangs, break their business model and secure our borders”.
The UK is increasing its presence at Europol to “play our full part in the European Migrant Smuggling Centre”, and new cooperation arrangements have been agreed with Slovenia and Slovakia to disrupt organised crime, the PM said.
Britain will stand with Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’, says Starmer
17:28
Andy Gregory
Ukraine is fighting not just for Ukraine, but for Europe and democracies, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
“Our security starts in Ukraine,” the prime minister said, vowing to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Starmer holds press conference
17:26
Andy Gregory
Sir Keir Starmer is now holding a press conference from Blenheim Palace after a day spent hosting the European Political Summit.
UK leading the way in Nato defence spending, says Stoltenberg
17:04
Andy Gregory
The UK is leading the way in showing Europe it needs to spend more on defence, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said, as allies consider how to respond to the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House.
Speaking to reporters at the European Political Community summit, Mr Stoltenberg said: “The most important thing we can do, regardless of what you might think about the outcome of the US elections, is to invest more in defence because that will provide more capabilities, more forces, higher readiness for European allies.
“And it will also string strengthen the transatlantic bond and demonstrate for the United States that they’re not carrying the burden alone.
“Because the reality is that it has been fair to criticise European allies for not spending enough. Of course, the United Kingdom and some allies have been over 2 per cent for many years, but most European allies have been far below.”
He added: “I think it’s too early to say whether we should agree a new minimum level or floor. But at least we need to realise that 2 per cent is not enough, we need to spend more than 2 per cent. The United Kingdom is leading by example and I welcome the defence review.”
Tory leadership race discussions ‘less white smoke and more hot air'
16:40
Andy Gregory
A meeting among Tory MPs to discuss the rules of the looming Tory leadership contest has been described by one as “less white smoke and more hot air”, according to the Times’s chief political correspondent.
Another reportedly described it as “a meeting of many opinions”.
No announcement expected today on the Tory leadership contest, despite lengthy discussions...
— Aubrey Allegretti (@breeallegretti) July 18, 2024
Am told that MPs didn't present a clear suggested timetable for the Board meeting. One Tory source sums it up as "less white smoke and more hot air".https://t.co/X0TevAm4Ef
John Rentoul | So who will be forced out of Starmer’s cabinet first?
16:25
Andy Gregory
Just two weeks after the general election, the whispers in Westminster about which underperforming minister will fail fastest are already rife.
The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul reveals where you should place your bets:
Starmer welcomes the King at Blenheim Palace
15:51
Salma Ouaguira
King Charles has arrived at Blenheim Palace where he will be hosting a reception as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s European summit.
The King will meet all European leaders at the historic palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
The prime minister greeted the King as he arrived at Blenheim’s Great Court before they both headed to the Long Library for the reception.
Pictured: Inside the gardens of Blenheim Palace
15:48
Salma Ouaguira
Starmer urges EU nations to work together to end ‘vile trade’ of people smuggling
15:44
Salma Ouaguira
During the closing plenary at the EPC summit, Sir Keir Starmer has urged leaders to tackle the “vile trade” of people smuggling.
The prime minister said it is wrong to call small boat crossings a “challenge”, instead he declared: “This is now a crisis with a criminal empire profiting on human misery and desperation.”
He said European leaders have the opportunity to “set a new path” on illegal migration and combine resources and tactics to shut down smuggling routes and “smash the gangs”.
Rachel Reeves warns of ‘difficult decisions’ to fix public finances
15:43
Salma Ouaguira
Rachel Reeves has warned she will have to make “difficult decisions” as she seeks to “fix the foundations” of the public finances.
The Chancellor is set to announce the date of her first budget before the Commons summer recess, as well as an assessment of the “spending inheritance” left behind by the Conservatives.
In the autumn budget, all eyes will be on whether Ms Reeves is forced to raise taxes or slash spending to avoid a squeeze on public services and to meet her fiscal rule to have debt falling as a share of gross domestic product in five years’ time.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, she said: “I’m not going to announce any tax breaks or tax changes without saying where the money is going to come from, and we will have a budget later this year.
“But I also just need to be really clear and honest about the scale of the challenge that we’ve inherited with the public finances.
“We’re going to have to make difficult decisions. We need to fix the foundations before we can start rebuilding things in Britain.
“But unlike the previous government, I am going to be honest about the scale of the challenge. I’m going to level with people.”
Watch: Hungarian prime minister’s blunt response when asked what more Europe can do to tackle migration
15:35
Salma Ouaguira
Labour government pressured to recognise state of Palestine ‘immediately'
15:26
Salma Ouaguira
Liberal Democrat Layla Moran called on the Government to recognise the state of Palestine “immediately” in order to send a “powerful message” to the Israeli government.
The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon said her professional and personal life “collided” when Hamas launched its attack in Gaza in October last year, she has previously told the Commons that a family member of hers has died during the Israel-Gaza war.
She added: “We need that immediate ceasefire, and we needed it six months ago.”
Tories: Starmer made ‘a mistake’ by not committing to defence spending
15:18
Salma Ouaguira
Shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell has warned that the Government is making a “mistake” by not to committing to a 2.5% of GDP spend on defence.
Speaking in the Commons during the second day of debate on the King’s Speech, the Tory former minister said: “In spite of their legitimate desire for yet another defence review, I think the Government has made a mistake in not honouring immediately our commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.”
He added that this “gives the wrong signal to our allies and adversaries about our determination to confront the multitude of dangers the world faces”.
Later in the debate, Conservative former minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke questioned whether the Government would spend more than 2.5% on defence, if its strategic review recommended this.
He said: “If this review adds up to more than 2.5%, saying this is what we need to be able to defend this changing arena, is the government going to spend that money?”
Farage doubles down on JD Vance’s attack claiming ‘parts of the UK are Islamist’
15:11
Salma Ouaguira
Nigel Farage has backed Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance in claiming that the UK was the “first truly Islamist country to get a nuclear weapon”.
The right-wing MP, who is a friend of the former US President, has said that “parts of our cities are Islamist”.
The Reform leader, who is attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, defended the vice president wannabe saying Mr Vance was “half-joking” in his remarks.
He said: “It is not an Islamist nation, but there are parts of our cities that are.
“When you see sectarian voting you need to have a real think about what is going on people elected on religious lines. That is not the same as Islamist.”
Jeremy Corbyn: Is the government serious in pushing Israel to a ceasefire in Gaza?
15:00
Salma Ouaguira
At the Commons, Jeremy Corbyn has pressed defence secretary John Healey on whether the Labour government would push Israel to take part in a ceasefire in Gaza, Palestine.
Intervening in a speech by Mr Healey, former Labour leader and now independent MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn said: “The question of the conflict going on and the bombing in Gaza has resulted in 40,000 deaths already. Is the Government serious in pushing Israel to take part in an immediate ceasefire?
“Is it also prepared to suspend or stop all arms sales to Israel in order to save further life? But also, he made a point in his speech about the need to adhere to international law – there are international court judgments at the ICJ (International Court of Justice) and the ICC (International Criminal Court). Is the Government going to support those judgments and ensure that they are carried out whatever the political consequences because they do require action taken internationally to bring a halt to this appalling conflict?”
In response, Mr Healey said the government will apply international humanitarian law “without fear or favour”.
He said: “It’s why the foreign secretary (David Lammy) has already been out to Israel to press that case.
“And on the question of arms sales to Israel – on the first day in post, the Foreign Secretary commissioned the most up-to-date assessment of the British Government through the established system that we work on the degree to which any of our UK arms export licences may be facilitating a serious risk of a breach of international law. He has said clearly he wants this to be a process that is as swift and as transparent as possible and he is looking hard at exactly that.”
Mr Healey added: “Yes, this Government is serious about the application without fear or favour of international humanitarian law.”
Peer suspended for drunken bullying of women
14:55
Salma Ouaguira
Booze-fuelled bullying by a Tory peer had a “serious effect” on its young women victims, Parliament has heard as he was banned from all House of Lords bars for a year.
Lord Ranger of Northwood, a former adviser to Boris Johnson who was handed a peerage in the former prime minister’s resignation honours list, has been suspended from the upper chamber for three weeks,
The House of Commons has been invited to impose a similar sanction.
A report by the Lords Conduct Committee said Lord Ranger had been “visibly drunk” and made “various inappropriate comments” to a group of people in Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar in January.
He also “acted aggressively, shouting and swearing”, calling them “f*****g useless” and “invading their personal space”.
He subsequently apologised to the two complainants and resigned the Conservative whip, to sit as a non-affiliated peer.
The House of Lords Standards Commissioner originally recommended Lord Ranger be suspended for just one week but the Conduct Committee felt this “failed to do justice to the seriousness of the offence” and so increased the proposed penalty.
EU relations minister hails ‘huge opportunities’ to reset post-Brexit relations
14:45
Salma Ouaguira
I echo the Prime Minister's congratulations to @vonderleyen on her re-election as President of the @EU_Commission.
— Nick Thomas-Symonds (@NickTorfaen) July 18, 2024
There are huge opportunities for the and as we reset our relationship. https://t.co/eMuxSl24yr
Starmer congratulates Ursula von der Leyen for winning second term as Brussels chief
14:38
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer has congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on her re-election to serve a second five-year term as president of the European Commission.
Ms von der Leyen missed the European Political Community summit hosted by the Prime Minister to focus on Thursday’s vote on her future.
A list of 401 members of the European Parliament have voted for von DerLeyen at the 720-seat parliament.
Sir Keir wrote on X: “Congratulations @vonderleyen on your re-election as President of the @EU_Commission.
“I look forward to working closely with you to reset the relationship between the UK and the European Union.”
Congratulations @vonderleyen on your re-election as President of the @EU_Commission.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 18, 2024
I look forward to working closely with you to reset the relationship between the UK and the European Union.
Truss ramps up row with civil service chief
14:35
Jane Dalton
Liz Truss has prolonged a dispute with the civil service over descriptions of her policies.
Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister on Wednesday wrote to the head of the civil service, Simon Case, complaining that references to her in documents released alongside the King’s Speech were “untrue political attacks”.
As a result, text describing her mini-budget as a “disaster” was removed from government documents published alongside the King’s Speech.
Now she has sent a follow-up letter to Mr Case demanding he investigate how “slurs” against her ended up in the briefing document.
The briefing notes also included references to the “mistakes” of economic policy while she was prime minister.
Her latest letter includes a list of questions for Mr Case, including whether he has opened an investigation, who gave the final sign-off to the document and how civil servants will be held to account if they have breached the Civil Service Code.
She also asks how many physical copies of the “errant document” were printed and whether he has made efforts to recover and pulp unissued copies.
“I am very disturbed that this material impugning my name found its way into a Civil Service document published on the first day of the new Parliament,” she writes.
“That not a single person who drafted, edited, proofed or signed off so significant a document saw fit to challenge the slurs against me would only go to suggest that there is a settled view in Whitehall which accepts the narrative of my political opponents without challenge.
“This should be a matter of deep concern to the British public.”
In a briefing made available online after the King’s address at the State Opening of Parliament, the government had also cited the Institute for Government think tank as saying the mini-budget was “a lesson in how not to do fiscal policy”.
The Civil Service have questions to answer pic.twitter.com/a2k8bWU6np
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) July 18, 2024
Yvette Cooper denies PM to hold talks on new migrants return deal with the EU
14:29
Salma Ouaguira
Whether the UK would accept some asylum seekers in exchange for returning some migrants to the EU is not under discussion at the European Political Community summit, Yvette Cooper has said.
The home secretary said the focus is “around security” and “organised immigration crime” when pressed repeatedly on what a potential UK-EU migrants return deal could entail.
Ms Cooper told the BBC’s World At One: “That’s not the discussions that the European Political Community is having. What their focus is is around security.”
She added: “The returns arrangements we’re talking about is developing returns arrangements right across the world. We’re immediately moving hundreds of staff into the returns and enforcement unit.”
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer was reportedly set to have bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to push for a new migrants return deal with the EU today.
Under the plans, the government could return migrants crossing the Channel in small boats to the EU in exchange for accepting child asylum seekers from the EU who have family in the UK.
Irish PM claims Starmer’s election win a ‘gamechanger’ for UK-EU relations
14:25
Salma Ouaguira
Ireland’s Simon Harris said Sir Keir Starmer’s election win could be a “gamechanger” for UK-EU relations.
The Taoiseach told reporters that there was now a British Prime Minister who said “very publicly here today in front of European Union leaders and others from the European family, that he wants to have a closer relationship with Europe”.
Speaking to reporters at the European Political Community summit in Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, he said: “It’s early days for the British Government. It’s not for me to prescribe what they would do next in any matter of means, that’s not a reset.
“But there’s been a gamechanger now. You have a British Government that wants to actively talk about a closer relationship with Europe, the importance of multilateralism, staying within the ECHR working closely with Ireland, talking about language around co-guarantor of our peace process.
“So it’s a very different landscape to the one we would have been discussing were we standing here only weeks ago.”
Starmer discusses Albania-Italy migrant deal drying EPC summit
14:18
Salma Ouaguira
The Prime Minister discussed Italy’s deal to send migrants to Albania for processing during an informal talk with Edi Rama.
Sir Keir Starmer and his Albanian counterpart also discussed support to Ukraine during a “brush-by” chat at the European Political Community (EPC) summit at Blenheim Palace.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to get time to sit with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at today’s EPC.
“The two leaders discussed issues of European security including migration, specifically innovative solutions such as the Italy-Albania partnership.
“They also discussed support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression; and UK co-operation in the Western Balkans. The Prime Ministers agreed to continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”
Watch: Lammy clashes with BBC presenter over ’neo Nazi’ Trump comment
14:15
Salma Ouaguira
In full: Zelensky urges European leaders to channel Churchill’s ‘bravery’
14:05
Salma Ouaguira
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European leaders to channel Winston Churchill’s “bravery” in the fight against Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian leader made his call as he spoke in the former prime minister’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace, during only his third visit to the UK since Russia’s full-scale invasion. It is his first trip to the UK since Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street. Mr Zelensky is also due to meet with King Charles during the visit.
The Ukrainian leader told a summit of European leaders: “Bravery made Churchill Churchill. Bravery won the greatest battle of his life. It was the battle for Britain.
“Now our bravery and cooperation must achieve no less so that the children of our nations can someday look back at us, at what we have done, at what we have chosen, what we have promised, and see the pillars of their peace, their security and their prosperity just as we see it when we look back at the most famous person from Blenheim.”
Watch: Farage defends jetting to see ‘friend’ Trump in US
13:55
Salma Ouaguira
The odd couple: What Keir Starmer really thinks about Angela Rayner
13:45
Salma Ouaguira
As rumours swirl over growing tensions between the prime minister and his deputy, Zoe Beaty takes a closer look at their relationship and hears why their differences might also be their strength:
Lammy insists he could work with Vance as he plays down past comments on Trump
13:35
Salma Ouaguira
Foreign secretary David Lammy believes he will be able to find common ground with Donald Trump’s running mate even after he called Britain an “Islamist” country.
Ohio senator JD Vance, who was chosen as the Republican vice presidential candidate on Monday, recently referred to Britain under Labour as the first “truly Islamist” country with a nuclear weapon.
The Foreign Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “Let me just say on JD Vance that I’ve met him now on several occasions, we share a similar working class background with addiction issues in our family. We’ve written books on that. We’ve talked about that.
“And we’re both Christians, so I think I can find common ground with JD Vance.”
He also said he could work with Mr Trump despite having previously called him a “neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”.
“You’ll struggle to find anyone who hasn’t had things to say about Donald Trump,” Mr Lammy said, adding that even Mr Vance had used some “choice language” to describe his running mate.
In the early stages of Mr Trump’s political career, Mr Vance reportedly described him as “a total fraud”, “a moral disaster” and “America’s Hitler”.
Starmer urges European leaders to tackle migrant ‘crisis’
13:30
Jane Dalton
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer urged European leaders to address the illegal migration “crisis” and to stand firm in support of Ukraine as he sought to strengthen the UK’s ties with the continent, at the opening of the European Political Community summit:
Starmer responds to the Covid Inquiry’s first report
13:25
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s report confirmed that “the UK was under-prepared for Covid-19” and that policy “failed UK citizens”.
The Prime Minister said in a statement: “The memories brought about by the inquiry will be very difficult for many people. My heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who lost a loved one during that time.
“The pandemic showed us t
