Thanks for joining us today as we followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's first visit to Scotland and heard more from the home secretary about the new Border Security Command.

We're now pausing our live coverage, which will resume bright and early tomorrow morning.

If you'd like to take a deeper dive into the prime minister's meeting in Bute House, read on here.

Thanks for spending some of your Sunday with us, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer kicked off his first tour of the UK since being elected. We'll be pausing our live coverage soon, but here's how the day went:

• Starmer flew to Edinburgh, where he met with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney
• The pair vowed to work constructively together, despite their "differences" on issue such as independence
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has sketched out how the new Border Security Command (BSC) will look
• A leader for the BSC will be appointed within weeks, Cooper said, and play a coordinating role between police, the National Crime Agency, border force and the intelligence services
• Foreign Secretary David Lammy continued his trip to Europe, visiting Germany, Poland and Sweden
• And Defence Secretary John Healey was in Ukraine, where he promised more military aid and to speed up its delivery
• The future of the Tata steelworks in Wales was under the microscope, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds saying he would be seeking guarantees on jobs during talks in the coming days
• While Conservative MPs Victoria Atkins and Robert Jenrick offered their diagnosis of what went wrong for the party at the election
• Both were coy on their own leadership ambitions and declined to answer whether they would stand to succeed Rishi Sunak

Image source, EPA

We arrived with our cameras at Bute House in Edinburgh expecting one picture — but left with another.

There was no official photo of the prime minister and the first minister shaking hands and smiling on the front steps, promising co-operation.

Instead, the first official meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney was, almost literally, drowned out by a noisy pro-Gaza protest on the square outside.

My colleagues who filmed the start of the chat between the two leaders said the chants and cries could clearly be heard inside the room.

Sir Keir’s convoy left the back gates at speed, with police officers ushering some of the demonstrators out of the way.

One of the protestors, who said she didn't want to give her name in case it caused trouble with her employer, told me she was unimpressed by the prime minister's decision not to use the front door of the building.

"I think it's ridiculous but laughable at the same time," she said, adding: "Back door Starmer. He can't face the people. He's meant to be Labour, one of the people, and he can't face us."

Downing Street said they would not comment on the prime minister’s logistics.

Labour is promising to reset relations between Westminster and the devolved nations, but what might that look like in practice?

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was asked earlier today if a tailored immigration policy, perhaps a "Scottish visa" system, might be on the agenda.

Immigration was less of an election issue in Scotland with the country needing migrants to help plug labour shortages in areas like agriculture and hospitality, and to address a long-term decline in the working age population.

Sarwar ruled out a separate immigration system and said there needed to be one UK Border Agency.

But he told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show: “If you have two governments willing to work together, you can find distinct solutions for Scotland.”

He cited the Fresh Talent initiative, introduced by the Labour-led Scottish executive 20 years ago, which allowed overseas graduates from Scottish universities to stay on to work.

The interview with John Swinney is now turning to the issue of whether he still has a mandate for a referendum on independence, in light of the party's election result.

As a reminder, the Scottish National Party slipped from 48 MPs in 2019 to nine in last week's election.

Swinney is challenged on whether he is relying on a dated mandate.

"The people of Scotland elected a Scottish parliament that exists today that's got majority support for a referendum on independence," he replies.

"I think the democratic will of the people of Scotland from that election should be respected."

He says the election poses an opportunity to advance his priorities as first minister, and he put those points to the prime minister today.

We're now hearing from Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, who's just been in a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

He's first questioned by a journalist about his previous description of the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster as "toxic" in the last five years.

Swinney says he "welcomes" Starmer coming to Scotland so early in his prime ministership. He says the UK government has been "a really difficult government to engage with", and he hopes Starmer can reset the relationship.

On the issue of Scottish independence, Swinney says "we made clear that we have different views on the constitution".

He says he believes in independence, but adds that the Scottish National Party has to "take time" to consider the "issues the election presents to us".

Asked whether he agrees with John Swinney that there will be another Scottish independence referendum in five years, Keir Starmer avoids the question, instead saying he wants to deliver for Scotland.

On Grangemouth and Tata Steel, he says he discussed the issue with Swinney and they have shared concerns. He adds that it is "early days" but that he has "already rolled up his sleeves to work on it".

Finally, on whether he would scrap the two-child benefit cap within the Parliament, Starmer says he would put a strategy in place to bear down on the factors that lead to child poverty "as soon as we can".

Keir Starmer has just given an interview on his visit to Scotland, following a meeting with First Minister John Swinney.

He says "one thing that needs to change" is the relationship between the UK government and the Scottish government.

Asked whether the two leaders discussed the issue of Scottish independence, Starmer says he won't talk about the details, but adds they both agreed they could work constructively together.

Pressed further, he adds there is "clearly differences of opinion between us on constitutional issues".

He says he made a commitment his government would deliver for Scotland and "reset the relationship" with the first minister.

Starmer adds the focus of the meeting was energy, the economy and the Grangemouth oil refinery.

Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Bute House isn’t going exactly to plan.

Instead of the usual photo op on the steps with Scotland’s First Minister, the PM is believed to have gone in the back door, avoiding a significant and vocal pro-Gaza protest outside.

Starmer has faced criticism for his comments on the Gaza conflict, including being too slow to call for an immediate ceasefire.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

A noisy protest by pro-Palestinian demonstrators is taking place outside Bute House where Keir Starmer is expected to hold talks with First Minister John Swinney.

The demonstration may scupper plans to hold a photo-op of the two leaders outside the first minister's official residence.

The new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has said she plans to have a head of the new Border Security Command in place within weeks, as the government tries to get to grips with small boat crossings in the English Channel.

Cooper is promising "substantial additional resources" though no specific figures have been put on how much money will go into the BSC.

During the election campaign, Labour said it would use money saved from the scrapping of the scheme to send migrants to Rwanda to help pay for its plans.

"Criminal smuggling gangs are making millions out of small boat crossings, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk," Cooper said in an interview.

"We can't carry on like this. We need to tackle the root of the problem, going after these dangerous criminals and bringing them to justice."

The new head of the Border Security Command would report directly to the home secretary, and legislation is being prepared to provide for new counter terror style powers and stronger measures to tackle organised immigration crime.

Pressed on how quickly she expected the numbers of small boat crossings to come down, Cooper declined to put any timescale on it but said: "We want to make progress as rapidly as possible in getting the law enforcement arrangements in place."

"But we do inherit a problem from the Conservatives where border crossings have gone up in the first half of this year. And that's why the law enforcement is so so important, because these criminal gangs are getting away with it."

Cooper also vowed to use a forthcoming summit of European leaders to press for greater security cooperation and will be speaking to other interior ministers and the head of Europol later this week.

Ahead of his meeting with John Swinney, the prime minister says he wants to use the talks to "reset the relationship" between Westminster and the Scottish Government.

Speaking to reporters in Edinburgh, Keir Starmer says he has a "mandate to deliver for Scotland", and that's something he takes "really seriously".

Starmer adds that he hopes the meeting will "set the framework within which we can work... better for Scotland, more respectfully for Scotland".

And he says he will follow his "country first, party second" mantra in these talks: "I said that when I was campaigning, I mean it in government and I therefore want a government of service."

He also talks about the importance he places on the devolved administrations and regional mayors in England, saying he is "committed to the principle that those with skin in the game know best what works for their communities".

"What you shouldn't do is have individuals in Westminster and Whitehall making decisions affecting communities when they've got their own representatives", Starmer adds.

Image source, PA Media

The Northern Ireland Secretary says "probably the most urgent issue" in his in-tray is the future of Casement Park - a Gaelic football stadium.

It hasn't been used in more than a decade, and since 2011 there's been plans to build a new stadium at the site. It's also due to host games at Euro 2028.

But funding for the project is still not in place.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Benn insists Casement Park "will be built" but would not be pressured into saying it will be ready on time for the tournament.

"As soon as I'm in a position to make that decision, I will", he says.

For more on that Casement Park project, click here.

Clock is ticking on Labour's pledge to deliver for Scottish voterspublished at 17:21 7 July

17:21 7 July

James Cook
Scotland editor

Image source, PA Media

There was a lot of cheering, a lot of hollering and a lot of applause as the new prime minister strode into a room full of friendly faces here in Edinburgh.

There was a lot of red too — jackets, dresses and ties on the new Scottish MPs and their supporters.

Sir Keir Starmer said his visit, within 48 hours of being invited by the King to form a government, was evidence that he was “making a start” on keeping his commitment to Scotland.

It was a moment to savour for Scottish Labour after years of frustration — even, at times, despair — in opposition.

For Sir Keir, this is a whistle-stop tour to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales before meeting English mayors on Tuesday.

The message is pretty obvious — to stress the 'United' in Kingdom.

But the work isn't over. The party now hopes to win control of the Scottish government from the SNP in the 2026 Holyrood elections.

That means delivering the change Labour has promised Scottish voters as quickly as possible.

It will be a huge challenge when the party has pledged to stick to Conservative spending plans and some of its welfare polices.

The clock is already ticking.

In Westminster elections, Scotland has now swung dramatically from Labour to the SNP and back again in less than a decade. That has led to some painful soul searching for supporters of Scottish independence.

But it’s also a reminder to Labour that voters can change their minds pretty quickly.

The election win "didn't just drop from the sky", Starmer continues, saying that the party won because they campaigned as "changed Labour" and because Scottish Labour have changed too.

He says Thursday's election win was just "part one" of Labour's plan, with "part two" coming in 2026 - where they hope to elect a Scottish government at Holyrood.

The party's "mandate for change" extends to Northern Ireland and Wales too, the prime minister says, adding that it is important for them to lead with the country coming first, "not party".

He says they must govern "humbly", thanking those who put their "trust" and "faith" in Labour.

Keir Starmer starts by thanking Sarwar, saying without "your leadership we wouldn't have achieved" this in Scotland.

The prime minister says it is an "honour and a privilege" to be in Scotland, 48 hours after being asked to appoint a government.

The "historic result" at the election gives Labour "a real mandate for change", Starmer says.

"Not long ago" the party had just one MP in the country, Starmer notes, and now have "a team of 37".

And he says he wants everyone in Labour - not just the Scottish Labour MPs - "working to deliver for Scotland".

Speaking alongside Starmer and before a crowd of supporters, Sarwar thanks those who voted for Labour, especially those who voted for the party for the first time, or the first time in a while.

"After 14 year we finally have a government that cares about Scotland, understands Scotland and wants to deliver for Scotland," Sarwar says.

Scotland will be at the heart of the Labour government, he says, adding "we are serious about restoring devolution".

"That hard work for change starts today."

Sir Keir is given a round of applause as he arrives at a hotel in Edinburgh on the first leg of his UK nations tour.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar introduces the new Labour prime minister and thanks the people of Scotland who have put their trust in them

"We have won a mandate for change," he says

Edinburgh is the first stop on the prime minister's tour of all four UK nations.

He'll start by meeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar who is jubilant after the party gained 37 MPs in the election - up from just one in 2019.

After that he is due to hold talks with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, whose party had a disappointing election. The SNP lost 39 MPs and now have just nine.

Image source, Reuters

Relations between the UK and Scottish governments have often been rocky in recent years with Westminster blocking Holyrood's gender recognition reforms and disputes over its bottle return scheme.

The Conservatives also refused to agree to holding a second independence referendum - something that's unlikely to change under Labour after the SNP's poor election result.

The PM says he wants to "turn disagreement into co-operation" and "place Scotland back at the beating heart of everything we do".

John Swinney has welcomed the promise of a more positive relationship, saying he's willing to work together on "eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, prioritising net zero and ensuring effective public services".

Image source, EPA

While Prime Minister Keir Starmer will shortly touch down in Scotland, some of his new cabinet appointees are on diplomatic missions a bit further afield.

We earlier updated you on Foreign Secretary David Lammy's trip to Poland, and now we have some pictures of Defence Secretary John Healey in Ukraine.

He met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky before holding a news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov in Odesa, where he promised more military aid and to speed up its delivery.

“Within 100 days, all the previously announced and pledged aid will be in Ukrainian hands," he said.

“This is my second full day in this job. It was my first priority to meet with you, to underline the commitment that our new Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave to your president.”