Starmer reportedly expected to resign on Monday as growing numbers of MPs back Burnham for PM – UK politics live

The business and trade secretary, Peter Kyle, told Sky News that he has not spoken to Starmer since Friday - but he had a “very detailed conversation” with him then, which he said was “private” and “personal”. “The prime minister was calm. He was thoughtful. He led the conversation,” Kyle told Trevor Philips. “Repeatedly, the prime minister asked about the country. Not once in that conversation, which was a lengthy conversation, did he ever ask about self-interest; it was always about the country . And I think that is the tone of the conversation I had with him. “ It was frank , and I think that is the mindset that the prime minister is in as he goes into this weekend, through which he has been working very hard as prime minister, as he always does, but also trying to make time to reflect on the political challenges at the moment .” Kyle went on to say that Starmer is “ making time to reflect on the political realities , challenges and opportunities that he finds himself in ”. Over the weekend, the prime minister has been at his country retreat, Chequers, spending time with his wife, Victoria.