Keir Starmer makes surprise appearance at Euros final with wife Victoria
Keir Starmer has made a surprise appearance at the Euros final in Switzerland to support the Lionesses
The Prime Minister, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel. He was seen watching the pitch with intense eyes as England's women's team kicked off the match a against Spain.
Writing in today's Sunday Mirror, the Prime Minister spoke about his joy of taking his daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros tournament in 2022. He said it was a "special moment" seeing his daughter stay long after the final whistle to watch the team celebrate their win.
The Lionesses went on to win the last Euros tournament, beating Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium in London. The PM this morning declared: "Let's bring it home again."
Mr Starmer said: "Whatever happens tonight, this team have already written their names in the history books. They've shown the best of our national character. Not just their skill, grit and determination, but their calm-headedness. No matter the pressure they're under.
"I will always remember taking my daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros, and I know she'll always remember it too. She stayed long after the final whistle, watching the team celebrate. It was a special moment for me – one that is repeated up and down the country every time they play.
"Because football not just entertains but inspires. That's what this squad does. And it's why so many young women look up to them."
The Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte have also been pictured in Switzerland ahead of the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, a picture of William and Charlotte was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption "let's go, Lionesses".
Elsewhere, Mr Starmer is facing calls to grant an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros 2025 final on Sunday. The Prime Minister previously backed calls for a "proper day of celebration" for the nation when England women's football team reached the final in the last Euros tournament in 2022, which was hosted by England.
The then-Opposition Leader told the Mirror: 'The whole country will be roaring on the Lionesses in the final... They have already done us proud, but if they win it will be a truly historic achievement - one that should be marked with a proper day of celebration, where clubs can open and promote access for women and girls.'
England went on to win the match against Germany but the Tory government did not grant a bank holiday for the nation to celebrate the historic victory.
In its latest update, before the Lionesses roared to victory last week, Downing Street said it was "not aware of any plans" for an extra bank holiday. The PM's official spokesman said he didn't want to jinx it before the team had reached the final.
Asked about the prospect of one, the PM's spokesman said on Tuesday: "I'm not aware of any plans for that but when it comes to backing the Lionesses, the PM is sending his best wishes ahead of the semi finals. We cannot get ahead of ourselves."
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Daily Mirror
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer 'listening to hostages' as UK presses on with Palestine state plan
Keir Starmer said the UK was committed to getting hostages released by Hamas as well as doing 'everything we can to alleviate the human catastrophe in Gaza' Keir Starmer has said the UK is 'steadfast' in its commitment to getting Hamas to release the remaining hostages after coming under pressure over his pledge to recognise a Palestinian state. The Prime Minister said he was listening to concerns from hostages, including British Israeli woman Emily Damari, who was held captive by Hamas, who accused him of "moral failure". But he said the UK must "do everything we can to alleviate the human catastrophe in Gaza". On Tuesday, Mr Starmer said the UK would recognise Palestine before the UN General Assembly in September unless Israel agreed to certain conditions, including taking steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and committing to a ceasefire. It comes as Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu 'completely lost it' with angry response to Keir Starmer. The significant shift in the UK's position came after intense pressure from MPs and his own Cabinet amid public revulsion at scenes of starvation and suffering in Gaza. But the decision triggered alarm from hostage families over whether the UK would recognise Palestine while Hamas is still holding people captive. Speaking to reporters in Swindon, Mr Starmer said: "I particularly listen to the hostages, Emily Damari, who I have spoken to - I've met her mother a number of times, and they've been through the most awful, awful experience for Emily and for her mother. "And that's why I've been absolutely clear and steadfast that we must have the remaining hostages released. That's been our position throughout and I absolutely understand the unimaginable horror that Emily went through. "Alongside that, we do need to do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where we are seeing the children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered. "That is why I've said unless things materially change on the ground, we'll have to assess this in September, we will recognise Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly in September." Nearly 150 of the UN's 193 members have already recognised Palestinian state, and Canadian PM Mark Carney said that his government plans to take the step in September. But a group of top lawyers warned it could break international law. In a letter to Attorney General Lord Hermer, some 40 cross-party peers said Palestine did not meet the legal criteria for recognition under a 1933 treaty known as the Montevideo Convention. It says that under international law, a state must have a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government and the ability to conduct diplomatic relations with other states. The peers argued that there is no certainty over the borders of Palestine and no single government. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hit back, saying they must "look at the levers the UK has" to deliver peace. "I think to be honest, with respect to those colleagues, that is missing the point somewhat," he said. Mr Reynolds said no conditions had been placed on Hamas as the UK does not negotiate with terrorist groups. He said: "We've been absolutely clear: it's our longstanding position that the hostages have to be released. "It's also our longstanding position that Hamas can play no role in the future governance of Gaza or any Palestinian state. So those are our absolute conditions, but we will never be willing to negotiate with Hamas because they are a terrorist organisation."
