UK-EU summit plans 'reassessed' after Keir Starmer announces resignation

A touted UK-EU summit is in doubt after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation.

The summit is due to take place on July 22 in Brussels, which could be just days after Andy Burnham enters Downing Street if there is no contest to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader.

However, with the turmoil in Westminster, the European Commission indicated it was "reassessing" whether the meeting would still go ahead.

Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho said "our relations with the UK are and will remain strong".

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She said: "On the question of the EU-UK summit, against the announcement this morning of the resignation by Prime Minister Starmer, we are reassessing with [European Council] president [Antonio] Costa and the UK the opportunity of still holding the summit as had been announced last week and we will take if from here."

Mr Costa has now suggested the meeting would be pushed back.

He said: "Now for sure we need to postpone it, but we are reassessing the opportunity of this new summit.

"But my wish is that his successor could give continuity on this good path to reset our relationship with the United Kingdom."

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy sought to reassure MPs on Monday and said: "We look forward to a further and the forthcoming second UK-EU summit at the first opportunity."

Speaking in the Commons he later said it would take place "as soon as possible".

Sir Keir on Monday set out a timetable for his exit from Downing Street, that would see the next Prime Minister in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on September 1.

But a new leader could be appointed much sooner if Mr Burnham is the only candidate nominated by July 16.

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If Mr Burnham is the only candidate at that point, he will become leader without a vote of the membership and is likely to become the eighth Labour prime minister on either July 17 or 18, just days before the Brussels gathering.

The new Makerfield MP has indicated he is a supporter of closer ties with the EU, having previously said he wanted to see the UK back in the trade bloc within his lifetime.

But as he campaigned in the by-election in the Leave-voting constituency on the edge of Greater Manchester, he sought to play down these comments, and pledged not to "re-run" the arguments of Brexit.

He is already facing calls to lean into relations with Europe, with economic analysis commissioned by the campaign group Best For Britain suggesting that the UK would gain a £92billion windfall if it took steps up to and including re-joining the EU.

However, he plans to pursue his pro-EU inclination, Mr Burnham stands to inherit a warmer relationship between the continent and the UK than had existed under the Conservatives, because of Sir Keir’s “reset" with Europe.

In the Commons on Monday, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said any postponement of the summit would be a "disaster",

Meanwhile, Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy said many Labour MPs were concerned about a delay and could halt work on deals on border checks on goods and youth mobility.

Mr Lammy replied: "Can I reassure her that the summit will take place as soon as possible, and also that we are having ongoing discussions with the European Union on SPS, youth mobility, steel and a range of issues on a day-to-day basis."

Sir Ed had earlier described the uncertainty around the summit as "the cost of chaos for Britain".

He added: "A crucial opportunity to finally repair the damage of Brexit, grow the economy and cut the cost of living has been thrown into turmoil.

"Andy Burnham must hold these talks as soon as possible, and secure a bold new deal with Europe, including joining the single market.

"That is the best way to get the country back on track and deliver the change that Labour promised."

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