GB News presenter Tom Harwood halted today's instalment of the programme to deliver a breaking alert while standing outside No.10 Downing Street this afternoon. He told viewers what is needed for a formal leadership challenge to be brought against Sir Keir Starmer following heavy Labour losses during Thursday's local elections. Harwood began: "It feels like the sands are shifting here in Westminster, and crucially, the number we all need to have in our minds is 81. 81 is the threshold by which any MP can bring a challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. Now it's interesting to look at what Catherine West has been doing because she has basically been organising a petition of Labour MPs to try and force the Prime Minister's resignation.

"But it's a petition that carries with it a threat. If that petition gets to 81, West has previously said she would be minded to stand for the leadership herself. If the Prime Minister sees this petition and refuses to stand down as he has indicated in his speech earlier today, could Catherine West then back that up with a challenge to force a contest that is a possible outcome?

"There is a crucial fly in the ointment, and that is a clarification from West herself speaking to London's political playbook this afternoon. In her letter to all MPs kicking off this petition, West said she would like a contest in September. Well, this afternoon she clarified that she meant to write by September."

The GB News journalist said the change in wording "would be seen to favour Wes Streeting much more" over Andy Burnham.

He added: "Once that 81 is reached, there is a credible threat that a leadership contest could be launched."

Earlier today, Starmer pledged to prove his "doubters" wrong, saying in his speech: "Like every government, we've made mistakes... but we got the big political choices right."

X users flocked to the platform to comment on the GB News alert, with one person writing: "We need a general election." Another said: "Doesn't matter who replaces Starmer, Labour is a Toxic Brand."

A third penned: "Regardless of whether Starmer is replaced or not, the Labour Party currently comes across as a complete mess; Britain needs a government that can actually get things done."