Keir Starmer postpones Scottish devolution speech for fear of being overshadowed by Brexit deal

Sir Keir Starmer was due to talk about devolution but has postponed for the time being.

The Labour leader had been due to detail his plans to revive party support in Scotland during an address to Edinburgh University on Friday.

But this has been derailed by the drama surrounding trade negotiations with Brussels, with the potential this week for Boris Johnson to declare whether there will be a deal.

Would-be attendees were emailed: "Due to the likelihood of a clash with major Brexit developments, Keir Starmer is no longer able to deliver the John P Mackintosh Lecture this Friday.

"We know that Keir remains fully committed to delivering this lecture. We hope to re-schedule in the new year and we will be in touch when a new date has been arranged."

Scotland is key for Sir Keir's chances of ever forming a majority government, with Labour support here being slashed by the SNP in recent elections.

The date of the speech was confirmed before Sir Keir went into self-isolation, meaning if it did go ahead he would have to deliver it from home.

He entered quarantine because a member of his office staff tested positive for Covid-19.

His official spokesman said the Labour leader received a negative result on Tuesday but would follow the rules and continue isolating for another seven days.

He said Sir Keir, who took part in Prime Minister's Questions remotely on Wednesday, took the test at home after it was provided by parliamentary authorities.