PM rejects claims that by opening a debate on changing UK-EU relationship he is going back on a pledge not propose rejoining

As mentioned earlier, hundreds of prisoners are being released early today across England and Wales, and some had a message for the prime minister.

“Thank you Andy Burnham,” one prisoner leaving HMP Durham in north-east England said, according to PA.

Outside HMP Swaleside in Kent, Daniel Dowling-Brooks, 29, said: “Big up Keir Starmer” as he was celebrating with his friends, mother and sister who picked him up in a convoy of a white Bentley and black Mercedes G-wagon.

He told reporters he had served seven years for kidnap and grievous bodily harm of someone who owed money to his friend, and had been released seven weeks early.

He said he regretted his crime, and planned to spend more time with his two children and his friends.

He said the first thing he would do was “go to McDonald’s, go to my hostel and follow all the rules”.

“I feel good, man,” he added. “I feel happy.”