Keir Starmer is facing MPs in Parliament in his first Prime Minister's Questions as PM, going head to head with Rishi Sunak, with the former PM quizzing him about international cooperation when it came to support for Ukraine.
Asked by Mr Sunak whether he would use “prerogative power” to safeguard the future of the British people, Sir Keir said: “I agree it's essential and as security as the first duty of government. I was grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for reaching out when action had to be taken to me personally, to ensure that I was briefed.
“On the sensitive issues that lay behind the decisions that he had to take. And as I mentioned to him last week, I will endeavor to ensure that we proceed in the same way so that he has access to all the information that he needs to come to a determination which I hope will be able to support the position that this government takes.”
Rishi Sunak assures Starmer that he will have Conservative backing for use of prerogative power if necessary for national security – admitting it is “sometimes controversial but essential to ensure the safety and security” of British people.
Mr Sunak's remarks are also likely prompted by the remarks of General Sir Richard Walker earlier this week that the nation needs to be ready to fight a war in three years' time.
It came just hours after seven Labor MPs were suspended after voting against the government to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
Just two weeks after his election victory, Starmer is already struggling to contain infighting in the party, with furious Corbynites labeling him 'Sir Kid Starver' in a brutal blow.
For all the latest from the House of Commons today, follow our live blog below.