Brian Wheeler

Labour's one-time sultan of spin Lord Mandelson has given a typically waspish verdict on John McDonnell's Labour conference speech.

"Well he's become quite emollient hasn't he? I don't know what's going on here," Mandelson told the BBC.

Has he been taking your advice, asked our reporter.

Asked for his reaction to John McDonnell's speech earlier, former Labour cabinet minister Lord Mandelson said he was "quite emollient". The Labour peer also said he wouldn't be watching Jeremy Corbyn's speech tomorrow.

The party grandee has advised Labour members unhappy at the election of Mr Corbyn not to be in a hurry to see him replaced as leader, saying the new Labour leader Mr Corbyn had to demonstrate his "unelectability" before facing a challenge.

David Cameron has dismissed speculation free school meals for all infant children could face cuts.

The prime minister "is committed to free school meals in England", an official spokesman told the BBC.

The coalition government introduced the meals a year ago for all pupils in the first three years of school in England.

But there has been speculation the meals are at risk, after Chancellor George Osborne demanded cuts of between 25% and 40% from unprotected budgets.

Carole Walker
Political correspondent

Image source, PA

David Cameron has been meeting the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as he continues his efforts to inject new momentum into the efforts to find a political solution to the Syria conflict.

It is something of a side-show to the headline acts here in New York - President Obama and President Putin.

But the prime minister does believe Britain has a role to play. RAF Tornadoes are already carrying out airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq and Britain is carrying out surveillance and air-to-air refuelling in Syria.

Mr Cameron has said he believes there is a strong case for extending that action into Syria. But he has always stressed that he would not take action in Syria without parliamentary approval and has made it clear that he won't put it to a vote unless he is confident of winning it.

Continue reading here.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn narrowly avoided being pictured with women’s lingerie during a conference visit in Brighton.

Mr Corbyn was visiting projects by entrepreneurs on Saturday when aides spotted a display of corsets and bras, whose owner was keen to show them off.

The underwear was replaced with more modest pyjamas, while Mr Corbyn was instead pictured with a giant marrow.

Image source, PA

Brian Wheeler

Image source, PA

Britain's financial markets are "wilder" than they were before the 2008 banking crisis, a shadow minister has warned.

Louise Haigh, a former corporate governance officer at an investment bank, said "excessive risk taking" and short-termism are back in the City.

The markets are "wilder, less transparent and more importantly faster than they were before," she said.

And without urgent reform another crash is likely, she added.

Read more here.

Image source, PA

David Cameron, meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the United Nations in New York, expresses his condolences for the deaths of Iranian pilgrims in the Hajj stampede.

Last week at least 717 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage were killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Another 863 people were injured.

Mr Rouhani told Mr Cameron that at least 170 Iranians died in the "bitter loss of life" and many more were unaccounted for.

Iran has called for an investigation into the incident. The Foreign Office said its embassy is gathering information on UK nationals. Anyone worried about friends and family can call 020 7008 1500.

Brian Wheeler

Standing room only in the Labour conference youth zone to hear Emily Thornberry make an impassioned speech about how young people are getting the "furry end of the lollipop" under the Conservative government.

Apprenticeships need to offer more than "flipping burgers," argues Ms Thornberry, the new shadow work and pensions minister.

She also lashes out at "Tory hard nut" Matt Hancock who she says wants "boot camps" for the young unemployed.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

Speaking to the World at One programme earlier, new shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle was asked whether she'd resign if Labour chose to scrap Britain's nuclear weapons programme, Trident. Here's what she had to say.

The comments in question have been reported in the Telegraph, external. Mr Woodcock, who chairs the Blairite Progress group, joked at the private event about a seven-year-old girl using the phrase.