Starmer vows to NEVER withdraw from European court regardless of scale of migrant crisis
Starmer speaks to the opening plenary session
PA
Sir Keir Starmer has said he will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights as he set out his plan for dealing with illegal migration.
The Prime Minister said he wants further co-operation on tackling illegal migration between European countries at a summit of the European Political Community.
The meeting, taking place at Blenheim Palace, has featured appearances from European leaders including President Macron, Chancellor Scholz and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
In a swipe at his predecessor's Rwanda scheme, Starmer said his Government would not rely on "gimmicks."
Starmer speaks to the opening plenary session
PA
The Prime Minister told the European Political Community summit’s opening plenary: "We are resetting our approach here.
"This Government will not commit taxpayer money to gimmicks. We are here to serve our country in the national interest in pursuit of solutions that will actually deliver results.
"More than that, we will approach this issue with humanity and with a profound respect for international law.
"And that’s why we scrapped the unworkable Rwanda scheme on day one. And it’s why we will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights."
LATEST FROM THE EUROPEAN POLITICAL COMMUNITY SUMMIT
Prime Minister Keir Starmer poses for a family photo with Europe's leaders at the European Political Community Summit
Reuters
Sir Keir told Europe’s leaders the UK would be a "friend and a partner ready to work with you" and "not part of the European Union, but very much part of Europe."
With his Government inheriting the challenge of small boats crossing the English Channel and Europe as a whole addressing the issue of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and land borders, Sir Keir said the leaders had to tackle people smugglers.
He said: "It is now I think a crisis...As we speak, as we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in every country represented here today, profiting off human misery and desperation, prepared to send infants, babies, pregnant mothers, innocent people to their deaths.
"And last week four more souls, and actually last night another one, were lost in the waters of the English Channel – a chilling reminder of the human cost of this vile trade."
President of France Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
Reuters
Meanwhile, Ukranian President Zelensky said he would "sign an intergovernmental agreement with the UK on support for the Ukrainian defence and industrial complex, discuss future defence co-operation, and expand our defence capabilities."
"Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, the UK has been one step ahead in its determination to support Ukraine. This is the kind of resolve we need to stop Russian terror."