Summary

  • Shadow chancellor John McDonnell apologises for saying in 2003 that IRA members should be "honoured"

  • Ex-chancellor Alistair Darling says he is struggling to "see a silver lining" in Jeremy Corbyn's election as Labour leader

  • It's one year on since the Scottish independence referendum

  • Scotland voted by 55% to 45% to remain in the UK in the vote

Live Reporting

Pippa Simm and Gavin Stamp

  1. Labour chose to 'blow itself up'

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Alistair Darling says that after the referendum Labour chose to “blow itself up” and "abandoned the field of play" for three months before electing a new leader. At the general election Labour lacked economic credibility and lost very badly, Mr Darling tells Today, adding: “That is one of the ingredients around at the moment that makes life uncertain". 

  2. SNP 'in no hurry' for another vote

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    But that said, Alistair Darling adds, there are "risks" ahead - with the nationalists in a "clearly very strong position" and concerns about the government's legislation for further Scottish devolution. Coupled with plans for English votes for English laws, it does pose real risks, he tells Today.

    The SNP are in "no hurry" to call another referendum, he restates, but says the party is keen to keep its backers on side.

  3. Darling: No appetite for second Scottish vote

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Alistair DarlingPA

    Former Labour MP Alistair Darling, who led-the cross party campaign in the No campaign, is asked about Alex Salmond's comments that if another referendum was held today the SNP would win.

    "He's been saying that for the last 40 years," Mr Darling tells Today. He says last year's result was "decisive" and there is "no appetite" among the Scottish public for another vote. He says Nicola Sturgeon herself doesn't want to call another referendum any time soon as "she knows she won't win it".

  4. Good morning

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today's political news. We'll bring you all the latest developments, including reaction to new shadow chancellor, John McDonnell's apology for saying in 2003 that IRA members should be "honoured". Today also marks the one-year anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum, which saw Scotland vote by 55% to 45% to remain in the UK last year.