Starmer ready for closer alignment with the EU 'in the national interest'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told the BBC the UK should move towards closer alignment with EU markets "if it's in our national interest".

Sir Keir told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg it would be "better looking to the single market rather than the customs union for our further alignment", in order to protect trade deals with India and the US.

But he was clear he was not revisiting manifesto promises not to rejoin the EU single market or customs union, or to end freedom of movement.

The comments are the clearest indication yet that Sir Keir wants to pursue a closer relationship with Europe in a broader number of areas.

The UK is already lining up with Brussels on some rules around food and agriculture to allow access to the economic European trading zone known as the single market.