Keir Starmer says he wants ‘ambitious security partnership’ with EU

‘We can’t be commentators when it comes to matters of peace on our continent,’ Starmer told reporters. ‘We must lead.’ Photograph: Simon Wohlfahrt/EPA

Keir Starmer has said he wants an “ambitious security partnership” with the EU, while insisting the UK does not have to choose between Europe and the US.

The prime minister was speaking before meeting EU leaders in Brussels to discuss security and defence, the first time a British leader has attended a European Council meeting since Britain left the EU five years ago.