Starmer’s reshuffle bid to demote Rayner described as ‘despicable act of cowardice’ – politics live

Latest updates: Kim Johnson, the MP for Liverpool Riverside, says she was ‘very disappointed with how Starmer had treated deputy leader

11.50am BST

Sadiq Khan, who was re-elected as the Labour mayor of London at the weekend, has said that Sir Keir Starmer was right to reshuffle his shadow cabinet. Khan said this morning:

The results [for Labour] last week were mixed but Keir is right to make changes to make sure we can earn back the trust and confidence across the country

I’ve been involved in reshuffles before, it’s like three-dimensional chess in relation to how you conduct them.

11.40am BST

Manufacturers based in Boris Johnson’s new freeports will not be able to enjoy the full benefits if they are exporting to a series of countries with which the UK has signed post-Brexit trade deals, the Financial Times (paywall) reports today. In his story Jim Pickard says exports to countries including Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Singapore would be affected. He reports:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have declared that eight new English freeports — announced in the Budget — will be a “transformational” benefit from Brexit.

But officials disclosed on Sunday that recent post-Brexit trade agreements with 23 different countries included clauses that specifically prohibit manufacturers in freeport-type zones from benefiting from the deals ...

There is no error and it is not uncommon for free trade agreements to have these provisions.

Businesses will not be shut out of markets we have negotiated free trade deals with.