Summary

  1. Starmer to speak at cost of living event shortlypublished at 14:16 GMT

    We are expecting to hear from Prime Minister Keir Starmer shortly as he speaks at an event focusing on the cost of living in Hertfordshire.

    This is the first public event for Starmer since addressing his MPs at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party yesterday. He'll also be taking questions from the public.

    You can follow along live at the top of the page.

  2. Starmer 'getting on with the task at hand', says No 10published at 14:09 GMT

    Harry Farley
    Political correspondent

    Keir Starmer in a black suit jacket and dark blue shirt speaking in front of a red wallImage source, PA Media

    The prime minister has a “renewed energy and a clarity of message”, Downing Street has insisted.

    Keir Starmer is “getting on with the task at hand” after addressing him MPs and peers last night, his spokesman says.

    "Yesterday you saw him set out a clear determination to deliver on that mandate he was elected on 18 months ago with renewed energy and a clarity of message,” he says.

    Asked about the health secretary’s decision to pre-emptively publish his messages Peter Mandelson, No 10 refused to say whether that had been approved by the prime minister.

    “We are being led by the Met [Police] on the disclosure of information,” his spokesperson adds.

    "We’re not going to jeopardise a live criminal investigation. The Met has thanked us for respecting their position.”

    Downing Street said the prime minister still had confidence in his health secretary.

  3. Starmer and his team 'have to get a grip' to stay in power, Labour MP sayspublished at 13:54 GMT

    Georgia Roberts
    Political reporter, BBC Derby

    A veteran Labour MP says Keir Starmer is "out of the woods for now" but warns that he and his team "have got to get a grip".

    Toby Perkins tells BBC Derby that Starmer - who he said would only "probably" be in place at the time of the next general election - needed to accept responsibility for recent events.

    "As leader you have to accept ultimate responsibility. Advisers advise and leaders decide," he says.

    That said, says Perkins, yesterday's Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) meeting shows the party wants Starmer to "get on with bringing about the change that we want".

    The Chesterfield MP adds: "I think Keir Starmer's out of the woods to an extent for now, but ultimately we've got to see the improvements sustained and people have got to experience a Labour government starting to make a positive difference."

    Perkins also stressed the need for unity when asked about potential leadership contenders.

    "They're ambitious people and I'm sure at some point in the future when there's a vacancy they'll want to be considered."

  4. It's quiet at Holyrood as Sarwar works out his next steppublished at 13:44 GMT

    Phil Sim
    Scotland political correspondent, reporting from Holyrood

    Anas Sarwar wearing a dark suit, white shirt and red tie and holding a folderImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Anas Sarwas has found support hard to come by after calling on the prime minister to resign

    As soon as Anas Sarwar stood up to make his surprise announcement on Monday, social media posts started popping up from members of Keir Starmer's cabinet backing the prime minister's position.

    By contrast, the support for the Scottish Labour leader has been relatively muted. A dozen of his Scottish Parliament colleagues have now rowed in behind him, either in interviews or social media posts.

    But only two of the party's 37 MPs north of the border have followed suit, with a number instead coming out for Team Starmer.

    Sarwar himself is not at the Scottish Parliament today, or doing any public events.

    In fairness, this is not hugely unusual at the moment - Holyrood's garden lobby has felt notably quieter in recent months as MSPs of all parties turn their attention to the campaign trail ahead of May's election.

    A handful of Labour members who were around this morning offered support for Sarwar's stance, with varying levels of enthusiasm and nerves.

    Representatives of the SNP and Conservatives, meanwhile, appear to be enjoying themselves enormously, speculating about what might happen next.

    It's possible that wherever the Scottish Labour leader is, he's trying to figure out the same thing.

  5. Scottish Labour MSPs back Sarwar's call for PM to resignpublished at 13:28 GMT

    Katy Clark speaks to journalists as she stands in the reception area of a building
    Image caption,

    The government needs a "reset" after a series of "poor decisions", says MSP Katy Clark

    Scottish Labour MSPs have been showing support for their leader Anas Sarwar, who yesterday called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stand down from the top job.

    MSP Martin Whitfield says that the "difficult decision" made by Sarwar to withdraw support from Starmer "was right for Scotland".

    "The decisions that have been made have shown an error in judgement," he tells the BBC."I think that Keir Starmer should seriously consider his position."

    Echoing his words is fellow MSP Michael Marra, who believes Sarwar has acted in "the best interest of Scotland" - a nation, he says, that is in need of "proper change".

    For MSP Katy Clark, the government needs a "reset" after what she calls a series of "poor decisions" tracing back to winter fuel payment cuts and the rejection of compensation for Waspi women.

    "Yes, of course I do," she replies when asked if she agrees with Sarwar.

  6. Analysis

    A moment of calm for the PM, but there could be more peril down the roadpublished at 13:17 GMT

    Harry Farley
    Political correspondent reporting from Downing Street

    Keir Starmer in a dark suit walks out of No 10 with a black folder in his left handImage source, PA Media

    If one or two cabinet members had withheld their support or even resigned yesterday, things could have panned out very differently for Keir Starmer.

    The prime minister could have had to go if senior members of the Labour Party - perhaps Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan or Mayor of London Sadiq Khan - had also joined Scottish leader Anas Sarwar in calling for him to resign.

    I was stood in the corridor outside the committee room where Starmer was addressing Labour MPs and peers last night.

    They genuinely did seem impressed. Even those who had previously called for Starmer to go seemed appeased.

    They said they had never seen the prime minister speak like that.

    Starmer spoke about his brother who had learning difficulties and his sister who works in the NHS as examples of the people he wants to fight for.

    It seems, for now, the PM is safe in his job. But the key words are for now.

    A moment of calm perhaps, but still plenty of peril ahead.

  7. Burnham says PM and government have his supportpublished at 13:08 GMT

    Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has also weighed in on the latest developments in Westminster during an event in London this morning.

    Taking questions at the Resolution Foundation thinktank, Burnham says that the PM "has my support, the government has my support".

    He adds that ministers also had his support when he put his name forward for the Gorton and Denton by-election in recent weeks, a move that was subsequently blocked by Labour.

    "I do feel we're at a crucial moment, it is absolutely right that people give the government stability in this moment," he adds.

    Media caption,

    'We're at a crucial point' says Andy Burnham

  8. 'We have to meet challenges facing the country as a team,' says Streetingpublished at 12:58 GMT

    Speaking to BBC Politics investigations correspondent Joe Pike, Health Secretary Wes Streeting says he fully supports the prime minister.

    Asked if the PM has threatened him with the sack, Streeting says "no".

    "The PM has my full support," he says. "The PM is leading this country through an enormous set of challenges and people have got to recognise the integrity with which he does that."

    "There is a lot of goodwill behind him, there is an enormous challenge, and we have to meet that challenge as a team."

    Media caption,

    Streeting: 'PM has my full support'

  9. By-election voters not concerned 'with Westminster soap opera', says Labour MPpublished at 12:45 GMT

    MP David Pinto-Duschinsky speaking to the BBC from their Westminster studio. He's in a black suit and white shirt with patterned black and white tie

    The next hill on the horizon for the Starmer government is the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election at the end of the month.

    Returning from door-stepping potential voters in the area, Labour MP David Pinto-Duschinsky tells BBC News that local residents are concerned with cost of living, public services, and fixing potholes - not "the soap opera in Westminster".

    The Hendon MP says he thinks Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was "wrong" for demanding Starmer's resignation, saying that the Labour Party isn't focused "on internal squabbles, like the Conservatives".

    "We all share the public's impatience to deliver that change," Pinto-Duschinsky adds.

  10. Starmer says cabinet are 'strong and united' amid resignation pressurepublished at 12:29 GMT
    Breaking

    We've just received an update from No 10 on what was discussed in a cabinet meeting earlier today.

    "The prime minister thanked Political Cabinet for their support. He said they were strong and united," the readout says.

    In the meeting, the PM also reiterated support for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, reaffirming that "the whole" of the Labour Party wants him to become Scotland's first minister.

    • As a reminder, Sarwar is the most senior Labour figure so far to have called on the PM to resign

    Starmer also highlighted how ministers are delivering on "their mandate to change the country", vowing that the government would "continue its relentless focus on the priorities of the British people".

  11. What has happened so far on Tuesday?published at 12:18 GMT

    Keir Starmer walking out the door of 10 Downing Street holding a black folder. It is dark outside.Image source, PA Media

    After a turbulent day for Keir Starmer on Monday, ministers gathered in Westminster this morning for their weekly cabinet meeting.

    Here is a run down of what else has happened today so far:

  12. Is Welsh first minister's support for Starmer too little and too late?published at 12:00 GMT

    Gareth Lewis
    BBC Wales political editor

    Eluned Morgan and Keir Starmer speak on a bridge and gesture with their handsImage source, Reuters

    With the political temperature high, Eluned Morgan’s support for Keir Starmer could be described as lukewarm.

    Both Conservatives and Plaid Cymru are expected to press Morgan on her view on Starmer, and although she has now issued a statement after yesterday’s silence it does give them something extra to base their questions on.

    There are serious caveats in what she says, including an implication that failures in the appointment of Peter Mandelson have not been fully confronted.

    Yet her “ultimate” test is whether the prime minister delivers for Wales – might opposition parties pick up on that potential contradiction later on Tuesday in first minister’s questions?

    Is that more important than the Mandelson scandal, and does she think he is delivering?

    This is the third time in as many weeks that Morgan has not given Starmer her full-throated support, but the situation this time is far more serious given events on Monday, with that Senedd election now less than three months away.

  13. Met warns ministers against publishing Mandelson messagespublished at 11:42 GMT

    Peter Mandelson
    Image caption,

    Ministers have been warned to not share the messages they sent to Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador to the US

    A short while ago, we reported that ministers have been instructed not to publish their messages with Peter Mandelson after Wes Streeting did so last night.

    We can now bring you a statement from a spokesperson for the Met Police which reiterates that directive:

    “An investigation into alleged misconduct in public office is under way and it is vital due process is followed so that our criminal investigation and any potential prosecution is not compromised.

    "As part of our enquiries, we will review material identified and provided to us by the Cabinet Office to assess whether publication is likely to have a detrimental impact on our investigation or any subsequent prosecution.

    "We will work alongside the Cabinet Office to review relevant documents over the weeks ahead. The process to decide which documents should ultimately be published remains a matter for government and parliament.

    “As we have stated previously, this investigation may be complex but we are focused on a timely and thorough process so that justice is served in this case or future ones linked to the Epstein files.

    “We understand and respect the role of parliament in releasing these documents and will support their objective of transparency through our work with the Cabinet Office.”

  14. Cabinet ministers leave No 10 following meeting with Starmerpublished at 11:30 GMT

    Cabinet ministers have been all smiles as they leave Downing Street after meeting with Keir Starmer.

    Yvette Cooper and David Lammy smile and hold hands as they had their separate ways as they step out No 10Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy step out of No 10

    Shabana Mahmood walks out of 10 Downing Street in a pink jacket and holding a red folderImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was also seen leaving

    Defence Secretary John Healey wears a dark suit with a bright red tie. He is carrying a slim red folderImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Defence Secretary John Healey following the cabinet meeting

  15. Ministers told not to publish Mandelson messagespublished at 11:18 GMT

    Harry Farley
    Political correspondent

    Ministers have been told not to follow Wes Streeting and pre-emptively publish their messages with Peter Mandelson.

    In a message to government officials last night, the Cabinet Office said ministers should not directly publish anything themselves that is within the scope of the motion passed by parliament last week.

    That includes messages between Mandelson and ministers, advisers and officials during his time as US ambassador.

    It comes after the Health Secretary Wes Streeting published his WhatsApp exchanges with Mandelson.

    One source said there was now concern that ministers could feel political pressure to publish messages that should instead be shared by parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.

    • For context: Yesterday, Streeting released his messages with Mandelson, which included ones where he criticised the government's economic strategy
  16. Analysis

    Starmer will be viewing today's calm as a political triumphpublished at 11:14 GMT

    Henry Zeffman
    Chief political correspondent

    Starmer appears in front of a banner of union jack flagsImage source, PA Media

    Keir Starmer will be delighted with the position he finds himself in this morning.

    That mind sound odd to say. After all, Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has spent the morning emphasising how dangerous yesterday was for the prime minister.

    But it is precisely because things looked so difficult for Starmer early yesterday afternoon that it represents such an achievement to have reached a period of relative calm today.

    The crucial moment came as Anas Sarwar stood up in Glasgow to call for Starmer’s resignation. But it was not Sarwar the crucial moment came from, it was David Lammy, the deputy prime minister.

    Lammy posted on X that Starmer’s “massive mandate” should be respected.

    It triggered a cascade of similar messages from other cabinet ministers - who had been conspicuous by their absence from the airwaves over the preceding hours.

    But it is also important to be realistic - as those around Starmer are being - about what those endorsements from the cabinet and other Labour powerbrokers really mean.

    They do not mean that Starmer will never face another threat to his authority.

    Some ministers I have spoken to are clear in private that they are essentially reserving their position. In most cases, that’s until the May elections, which now take on even greater significance. But others talk of the Gorton and Denton by-election, which is a fortnight on Thursday.

    Still, it now feels a certainty that Starmer will be prime minister for that by-election - and likely that he will be in place in May.

    Given he was fighting for survival hour by hour yesterday, that is a political triumph.

  17. 'I support the prime minister' - Welsh first ministerpublished at 11:09 GMT
    Breaking

    Wales First Minister Eluned MorganImage source, PA Media

    Wales First Minister Eluned Morgan says she supports the prime minister, in a statement released by her press office.

    "I support the prime minister in the job he was elected to do," she says, adding that "after years of revolving-door leadership under the Conservatives, the country needs stability in an age of instability".

    "I had concerns that Peter Mandelson was incompatible with public office because of the company he kept," she says.

    "These issues are deeply troubling not least because, once again, the voices of women and girls were ignored."

    She adds that the failure of his appointment must be "acknowledged and confronted honestly".

    "Ultimately, I judge any prime minister by a simple test: whether they deliver for Wales," Morgan says. "I have been clear with Keir about what Wales needs. Action on the cost of living, investment in our economy and infrastructure, and a continued commitment to stronger devolution."

  18. Badenoch says it's only a matter of time before Starmer resignspublished at 10:59 GMT

    Kemi Badenoch and shadow chancellor Mel Stride visited a McDonald's in north-west London this morningImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Kemi Badenoch and shadow chancellor Mel Stride visited a McDonald's in north-west London this morning

    Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has spoken to the media following yesterday's series of calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign.

    She says it is "quite clear" that the Labour Party has lost confidence in Starmer, and that Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has "said the quiet bit out loud" by joining calls for the PM to quit.

    "Instead of doing the right thing, what they've done is rally behind the prime minister," says Badenoch, who claims the Parliamentary Labour Party decided to support the PM because they are "terrified" of losing their own jobs.

    She adds that her party is "always prepared" to table a vote of no confidence in the prime minister, but are "not at the stage" to do so yet.

    That said, Badenoch says it is "still a matter of when, not if, he [Starmer] goes".

    As a prime minister, Starmer "creates a lot of instability", she says, but she acknowledges that an alternative Labour leader would create "more instability".

  19. Analysis

    Scottish Labour deflated in face of Holyrood electionspublished at 10:43 GMT

    Glenn Campbell
    BBC Scotland Political Editor

    Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander arrives for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London. He's holding a red folderImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander says Starmer and Sarwar are ready to move on so they can concentrate on fighting the SNP

    In calling for Keir Starmer to stand down, Anas Sarwar revealed a fundamental breach in his political relationship with the prime minister.

    He has not taken back a word of what he said. If he did, that would undermine his own credibility.

    Yet the Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander has said it was nothing more than a “sincere and genuine disagreement” from which both men are ready to move on to concentrate on fighting the SNP.

    His interview on BBC Radio Scotland breakfast was smooth and designed to calm the storm.

    The fact that he has been called on to perform this role on numerous occasions in recent months tells its own story.

    A series of blunders and about turns have marked Starmer’s leadership and many in Scottish Labour think it is wrecking their Holyrood election chances.

    They fear that if Starmer stays they will struggle to close the gap with the SNP and Sarwar’s judgement is that if he goes there is at least the chance of changing the political weather.

    Whatever happens it seems to me that Downing Street drama will continue to suck some of the oxygen from the Scottish campaign Sarwar wants to fight.

    There will either be questions over how the two men can possibly work together should Sarwar become first minister or a new distraction of a leadership process to find a new PM if Starmer’s forced out sooner rather than later.

  20. PM 'not out of the woods yet', says former Starmer adviserpublished at 10:08 GMT

    Claire Ainsley

    A former adviser to Keir Starmer says the prime minister should be thinking "bigger" after a "challenging" day yesterday.

    "It is obviously a really big moment," says Claire Ainsley, who was Starmer's policy chief when he was in opposition.

    "Most of the reporting I think is accurate that the prime minister has emerged stronger in what was an incredibly challenging day," Ainsley tells BBC News. "But he is certainly not out of the woods."

    She says that Labour has an opportunity now to "not just to do a short-term reset, but really to do a recovery plan".

    By doing this, Ainsley says, they'll be able to "get on with doing what they were elected to do".