Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live

Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime minister

The trial of two Russian-linked arsonists who targeted property connected to Keir Starmer shows that the UK is under attack from bad actors who want to exploit division" and destabilise our democracy", the prime minister has said.

Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property linked to the prime minister, and appear to have operated under the instruction of an online handler with links to Russia.