Image source, SNP/PA

The SNP is to announce its new Westminster group leader later.

Three of the party's MPs have put their name forward for the post, which became vacant when Angus Robertson lost his seat in last week's general election.

They are Ian Blackford, Joanna Cherry and Drew Hendy - all of whom were first elected two years ago.

A fourth candidate, Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard, withdrew from the contest on Tuesday, saying it was clear he did not have enough support to win.

Mr Blackford, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, is said to be the favourite to win the contest, with the result expected on Wednesday evening.

Read more

Mark Lobel
BBC political reporter

Yesterday French President Emmanuel Macron said that “until the (Brexit) negotiations come to an end, of course there is always the possibility to re-open the door”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, the former Tory chancellor Kenneth Clarke said the French President was “wrong” and the UK is now destined to leave the EU.

Mr Clarke said:

European Parliament
Strasbourg

German MEP Gabriele Zimmer, who leads the left-wing GUE group housing Sinn Fein's MEPs, says the Conservative's proposed deal with the DUP "endangers" the Good Friday Agreement.

The UK government is "supposed to be impartial" in brokering power-sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland, she adds.

European Parliament
Strasbourg

Guy Verhofstadt, who leads the Liberal ALDE group and is also the Parliament's chief Brexit spokesman, says that last week's general election shows the "disappearance of UKIP".

He adds that, one year on from the referendum result, "clear answers" are still needed from the UK government on matters such as citizens' rights how to maintain the Good Friday Agreement.

He calls on the Conservative party to put the national interest above party considerations, adding: "this is not about the Tories leaving the European Union".

He says the government must now says whether it plans to take the result "into account" in a new negotiating position, compared to the "hard talk" of the Article 50 letter.

European Parliament
Strasbourg

German Christian democrat MEP Manfred Weber, who leads the centre-right EPP group, is the first to comment on the results of last week's elections in the UK.

He says the outcome was "not a good result" for the EU, as the UK now shows "disorientation" in contrast to increased stability in other parts of Europe.

"Theresa May gambled and she lost", he adds - adding that people in the UK are "rethinking" the priorities for Brexit talks.

Image source, EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron says the possibility of the UK remaining in the European Union is an option until Brexit negotiations have concluded.

He was speaking at a joint news conference with UK PM Theresa May.

But he said he acknowledged and respected that a decision to leave had been taken by the British people.

He echoed the words of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, who also said the UK could change its mind about Brexit.

Read more

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Ken Clarke, the former Conservative chancellor, says both the Conservatives and DUP are "hopelessly split" on Brexit and they would "restore confidence in politics" if they could present a broader cross-party view in the national interest.

Mr Clarke, who is a staunch Europhile, says he accepts the UK will be leaving the European Union, but says there has not been a sensible debate on the issue.

He says French President Emmaunel Macron "is wrong" to say the door is open for the UK to stay in the EU, adding: "We are destined now to leave the European Union."

Mr Clarke, Commons father of the House - which means he is the MP with the longest unbroken service - says there should be no sectarian demands or concessions from the DUIP.

He also says he cannot "see for the life of me anyone who could conceivably take over" from Theresa May, who is going to face "the ultimate test of political skills" to deliver Brexit.

Image source, PA

Labour must remain in "permanent campaign mode" and prepare for a fresh general election at any time, Jeremy Corbyn has told his MPs.

The Labour leader said he would continue to campaign in marginal seats across the UK while opposing Theresa May's government in Westminster.

Urging MPs to maintain "unity and collective discipline", he said Labour must act as a "government in waiting".

Labour gained 30 seats and won 40% of the vote for the first time since 2001.

Read more

The Democratic Unionist Party leader has said she hopes to seal a deal on supporting Theresa May's minority government "sooner rather than later".

After meeting the prime minister in Downing Street, Arlene Foster said discussions were "going well" and she hoped for a "successful conclusion".

The BBC understands a final meeting to approve the deal is set for Wednesday.

But ex-Conservative PM Sir John Major said he was "dubious" about the idea and its impact on the peace process.

The Conservatives are having to rely on the support of 10 DUP MPs after they fell eight seats short of winning an overall majority at the general election.

Read more

Image source, EPA

Theresa May will have to "listen to other parties" as she reviews her Brexit strategy in the wake of the election, David Cameron has said.

The Financial Times, external reported the former PM saying there would be pressure for a "softer" exit from the EU after his party did not win an election majority.

Speaking in Poland, he said his successor should "consult more widely" both inside Parliament and beyond.

It comes as Mrs May tries to seal a deal with the DUP to govern.

Downing Street has so far rebuffed calls for major changes to its Brexit blueprint and ruled out the prospect of cross-party talks ahead of the start of official negotiations with the EU next week.

Read more

Hello and welcome to our rolling political coverage on a sombre morning in London. Events today are overshadowed by the news of fatalities and injuries emerging from the scene of the tower block fire in West London. Follow live updates here.

But it looks like still being a busy political day as the fallout from the General Election continues. Here's a look at what's happening today.

1. Talks are set to continue between the Conservatives and DUP as they aim to reach a deal to back Theresa May's minority government.
2. There's due to be the first meeting of Labour's shadow cabinet since the general election - and the election of the SNP's new Westminster group leader, after incumbent Angus Robertson lost his seat.
3. New MPs are set to begin the process of being sworn into the House of Commons. It takes a few days and proper business won't get going until after the Queen's Speech, which had been expected on Monday but is set to be delayed.
4. Meanwhile, former PM David Cameron has warned Theresa May she must now "listen to other parties" on Brexit and consider a softer approach to the UK's departure.
5. And Diane Abbott has revealed to The Guardian she has Type 2 diabetes and had to take a break from the election campaign when the disease got "out of control".

As we sign off for the night, here's a rundown of Tuesday's main news:

• Talks between the Tories and the DUP have continued as they aim to reach a deal to shore up Theresa May's minority government
• MPs have returned to the Commons for the first time since the election
• John Bercow was re-elected unopposed as Speaker, with Mrs May joking that "at least someone got a landslide"
• The PM called on Parliament to "come together in a spirit of national unity"
• Jeremy Corbyn was given a standing ovation by Labour MPs as he entered the Commons and a similarly warm reception at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party later
• He told the meeting Labour was now the "government in waiting" and must remain in "permanent campaign mode", ready for another election
• Mrs May later travelled to France for talks with President Emmanuel Macron on counter-terrorism
• She confirmed Brexit negotiations would begin as scheduled next week, while her French counterpart said the door was always open if the British people decided they didn't want to leave the EU after all

And in a few late snippets in the last hour:

• David Cameron reportedly says, external Theresa May must now "listen to other parties" on Brexit and consider a softer approach to the UK's departure
• Ex-Tory minister Robert Halfon pens a blistering attack on his party, external and its election campaign
• And Diane Abbott reveals she has Type 2 diabetes, external and took a break from the campaign when the disease got "out of control"