THE Labour leader will soon host regular press conferences in an effort to draw focus from Downing Street’s planned TV briefings, it has emerged.

Keir Starmer’s conferences, which are expected to be held monthly, come as Number 10 plot to hold general press briefings starting in the autumn.

A Labour source said: “Unlike the prime minister, Keir doesn’t duck the difficult questions or hide from the press. That’s why we’re up for doing regular press conferences.”

It was previously reported that UK ministers were seeking an experienced broadcaster to become the new face of the Government at the briefings, which follow on from Downing Street’s daily Covid-19 conferences.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson seeking spokesperson to front Number 10 briefings

Those now take place intermittently, with one planned for later today as the UK continues to see an increase in coronavirus cases.

When they were prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown held monthly press briefings – David Cameron did the same after being elected but this was stopped after a short period.

News that Labour will be hosting press briefings could be awkward for the Scottish party, of which some members have been outspoken about the First Minister’s coronavirus conferences.

Deputy leader Jackie Baillie wrote to BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon to complain about the broadcaster airing the conferences, while Labour peer George Foulkes said he had submitted a formal complaint about them.

Scottish Labour have been contacted for comment.