Keir Starmer: Brexit risks the 'break-up of the UK' and Government 'hasn’t got a clue what’s coming next'

Sir Keir Starmer said Brexit risks the “break-up of the UK” as he returned to his leadership campaign today after pausing due to a family emergency.

The Labour leadership frontrunner temporarily halted his campaign last week after his mother-in-law was involved in a serious accident which left her critically ill.

Returning today, the shadow Brexit secretary warned that the Government “hasn’t got a clue what’s coming next” after the UK leaves the EU on Friday.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If we just sit back we are at risk of watching the break-up of the UK. With Johnson’s Brexit deal it is inevitable that Northern Ireland will end up aligned with Ireland… then there will be a strong case for nationalism in Scotland. I think that’s wrong.”

He also said a Scottish independence referendum was not the answer, adding: “The case has to be made — not nationalism but federalism. A radical rethink of how we put power closer to people.”

Sir Keir also said a “massive thank you” to the NHS for their help over the past four days when his mother-in-law has been in intensive care.

The contender has 44 nominations from constituency Labour Parties.