Sir Keir Starmer is heading to Brussels to join a gathering of European Union leaders – the first time a British prime minister has done so since Brexit. Starmer is heading over the English Channel for talks focused on defence and security co-operation and will also meet Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “kowtowing” to Brussels after he met EU leaders to plead for closer ties with Britain. The Prime Minister held talks over dinner in the Belgian capital in the latest stage of his master plan to “reset” relations with the bloc.

With Keir Starmer in town, EU officials and diplomats say their expectations were too high when the British PM took office last year.