Starmer resignation live: Burnham greeted by loud cheers in Commons as he’s sworn in as Labour MP

A UK-EU summit which could be Andy Burnham’s debut as prime minister on the world stage 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 Mr Burnham enters No 10 if there is no contest to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader.

But 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”.

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 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 re

Andy Burnham has joined a large number of Labour MPs and peers for a welcome photograph in Parliament’s Westminster Hall.

The new MP for Makerfield stood in front of his Labour colleagues on a set of stone stairs leading up through the cavernous medieval hall on the Westminster estate.

He was welcomed into the hall with a round of applause and was accompanied by deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell, and Jessica Morden, chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Senior serving ministers were among those who gathered for the photo call, including chancellor Rachel Reeves, energy Secretary Ed Miliband, and chief whip Jonathan Reynolds.

Wes Streeting, a former leadership rival who said on Monday he would row behind Mr Burnham’s leadership bid was also there, as was former defence minister Al Carns, who previously suggested he would seek to challenge the Prime Minister in the event of a leadership contest.

Other senior Labour figures included Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister.

Sir Keir Starmer was not there for the photograph.

Sir Keir Starmer is a “devoted and dedicated public servant” who is owed “our deepest thanks”, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said earlier today.

Posting on X, she said: “Keir Starmer led our party from the brink, back to power.

“He won a landslide victory, which few in our party’s history have done before.

“That achievement will never be forgotten. In office, he put us on the path to the change we promised at the last election.

“A devoted and dedicated public servant, we owe him our deepest thanks.”

Sir Desmond Swayne, a Conservative former minister, heckled as Andy Burnham approached the House of Commons clerks to be sworn in.

“Rome is saved,” he said.

In another heckle, MPs were told that “he’s not the messiah”.

Nodding to Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Mr Burnham replied: “Naughty boy.”

Douglas Lumsden, the new Conservative MP for Aberdeen South, was sworn in before Mr Burnham on Monday afternoon, taking the oath using a Bible.

New SNP MP Lara Bird also took the oath.

Before she took the oath, she said: “I take this oath only so that I can serve the people of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.

“My first allegiance is and always will be the sovereign people of Scotland.”

In The Room co-host and former No 10 special advisor Cleo Watson has reacted to Keir Starmer’s emotional resignation speech, drawing parallels to her former boss Theresa May’s departure.

Cleo explains how hard these moments are for the family of the prime minister, and says that Starmer, despite knowing he will soon be replaced, must continue to do the job of running the country in the lead up to the summer recess.

For more analysis on what exactly happens next inside No 10, the crucial mistake made by Starmer, and Wes Streeting’s sudden turn from Labour leadership contender to Burnham backer, tune in to In The Room tomorrow to hear from Cleo and Helen MacNamara, ex-deputy cabinet secretary. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield after last week’s by-election.

He was sworn in using a Bible and took the oath of allegiance to the Crown, and walked to the House of Commons despatch box flanked by Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley and Leigh and Atherton’s Jo Platt.

Mr Burnham said: “I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”

Andy Burnham has been sworn in as MP for Makerfield.

The now-former mayor of Greater Manchester was greeted by loud cheers as he entered the Commons to swear his oath.

Wearing a suit and tie, he looked in good spirits as he returned to Parliament after nine years away.

Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield following last week’s by-election.

Andy Burnham entered the parliamentary estate through the gate at Canon Row, escorted by security staff.

As Mr Burnham and his team swept through Parliament’s Portcullis House office complex, he met former defence secretary John Healey.

The pair hugged and exchanged brief words before Mr Burnham continued towards the Commons chamber to be sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield.

Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region and a close friend of Andy Burnham, said of Sir Keir Starmer: “He is an honourable man, and he demonstrated that again today.

“By stepping aside, he is putting the party in the strongest possible position to go on and earn a second term in government. I wish Keir, Vic and their family all the very best for the future.

“Our return to office was hard fought. We must now come together and get behind whoever our next leader will be.

“Millions of people put their faith in a Labour government to deliver change – and change is what the country still needs.

“We owe it to people in every part of Britain to ensure we choose the right person to deliver it.”