Keir Starmer set to announce UK recognition of Palestine later today - UK politics live

Announcement from prime minister expected this afternoon despite Israeli opposition

The deputy prime minister, David Lammy, is speaking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips this morning on behalf of the government.

Lammy, who will represent the UK at the general assembly, has said a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel “lays in tatters” after Israel carried out an airstrike on a Hamas negotiating team in Qatar at the start of the month, and the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

Well, since that announcement in July, in fact, with the attack on Qatar, a ceasefire at this point lays in tatters, and the prospects are bleak.

And of course, we’ve also seen Israel move forward with an E1 development which would run a coach and horses between both the north and south West bank and ensure that we do not get to two states.

Recognition is largely symbolic. When the UK’s position was announced the then foreign secretary, David Lammy, said: “It will not change the position on the ground.”

But it allows the UK to enter treaties with Palestine and would mean that the Palestine head of mission becomes a fully recognised ambassador.