Burnham to Hold Security Talks with German Chancellor in Berlin

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet his German counterpart Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Friday to discuss tackling cyber-security threats and sabotage.

Downing Street said deeper co-operation in the face of rising hybrid threats from Russia would be high on the agenda during Burnham's first official visit to Germany.

Intelligence services in both countries have warned of rising threats, including last month when Germany accused Russia of launching a drone fitted with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

The Berlin talks come days after Burnham told the Labour Party's conference he wanted to set out options for a closer relationship with the EU later this year, including the prospect of eventually rejoining the bloc.

A German government spokesman has said any future in-out referendum would be primarily a question for Britain, but that Berlin supports stronger ties between the UK and the EU.

Burnham is set to be greeted with military honours at the German capital's Chancellery ahead of his first face-to-face meeting with the chancellor.

On Thursday, the two leaders will formally ratify the 2025 Kensington Treaty, a partnership committing both countries to tackle hostile activity through deeper cooperation on science, technology, defence, security and growth.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Burnham said the UK and Germany were