BBC News Briefing - 22 June 2026 - Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as the UK's prime minister and more ...

 

22 June, 2026

Roland Hughes Hello. Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as the UK's prime  minister in a speech tinged with emotion - we look at  what may happen next. Meanwhile, there's been  progress in talks between the US and Iran, and we go  inside a true crime convention.

TOP OF THE AGENDA Starmer stands down, and the UK seeks another leader Starmer said he would accept his party's wish to  change leader "with good grace". Credit: PA Media Just two years since a landslide general election  victory, Sir Keir Starmer has announced his  resignation as prime minister and leader of the  Labour Party. Speaking outside No 10 Downing Street,  he acknowledged the loss of support from his party,  and leaves the UK looking for its seventh prime  minister in 10 years. That may be Andy Burnham, the  former Greater Manchester mayor who won an  emphatic by-election victory last week, and has now  confirmed he wants to be prime minister.  Struggling to contain his emotion, Starmer ended his  resignation speech by saying he was leaving to  continue "the most important job": being a good  husband and father. Latest reaction Watch now: See and read Starmer's resignation statement in full. ‌ Explained: Who is Andy Burnham, the man who might be the next PM? ‌ 'Extraordinary moment': Watch as the BBC political team responds to the PM's announcement.

WORLD CUP HIGHLIGHTS Blue Sharks: Cape Verde's campaign is already making history - could they go even further? Fan reaction: One supporter hoping so is this man, who had a very enthusiastic reaction to a goal while live on BBC News.

WORLD HEADLINES 'Encouraging progress' in US-Iran talks Mediators Qatar and Pakistan say "a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days" has been agreed. Latest updates > Trump-backed outsider set for Colombia election win Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged a military crackdown on illegal armed groups, drug trafficking and crime. 'The Tiger' in profile> Australia conducts largest ever cocaine seizure The 2.7-tonne haul, with an estimated street value of A$816m (£433m, €500m), was found in an underground bunker. More details > Toy Story 5 claims record box office opening With takings of more than $300m (£226m) worldwide this weekend, it is the best start made by one of the franchise's films. How it compares >

NEWS FROM THE UK Hot weather: A four-day heat warning is under way across parts of the UK, as forecasters suggest temperatures could reach 39C (102F). Colleague's concerns: A paedophile nursery worker could have been stopped sooner, his former co-worker tells the BBC. Train crash: A ticket inspector who helped passengers in Friday's collision despite being hurt himself has been hailed a hero.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES True crime's biggest convention faces its own moral dilemma More than 6,000 people attended this year's CrimeCon event. Credit: CrimeCon and RenownedPhotos Inside a Las Vegas convention hall packed with true crime enthusiasts, Dr Maggie Zingman stands stoically on. She's at CrimeCon to raise the profile of her daughter Brittany Phillips, who was killed in 2004. Zingman understands the dilemma: does this convention exploit her daughter's memory, or offer a new way to resolve a case that remains open 22 years on? True crime is a booming genre, as Sheila Flynn reports from CrimeCon, so those ethical questions are only increasing. Go deeper

SOMETHING DIFFERENT 'A dreamlike mirage' Five details that unlock the genius of Van Gogh's original "starry night". Explore now

And finally... in Australia The world's longest commercial long-haul flight has been announced, a non-stop trek from Sydney to London that can take up to 22 hours. But will people pay the extra for Qantas's service to avoid a stopover? Here's what Sydneysiders said.

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