Business secretary says UK needs to understand direction of EU before signing up to closer relationship – UK politics live

The prime minister has suggested that he wants a public debate on the UK’s partnership with the EU.Downing Street has paid tribute to Patrick Stewart following the actor’s death. At the daily lobby briefing, the PM’s spokesperson gave a comment that was a bit more extensive than the usual No 10 contribution when a great British celebrity dies. The spokesperson said that was because Andy Burnham feels strongly about the importance of actors.The spokesperson said:The prime minister was very sad to hear of the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart.As a former culture secretary he knows how much Britain’s greatest actors