I'm just cracking on with the job, Reeves says after Commons distress

Rachel Reeves has said she is "cracking on with the job" of chancellor after a public show of unity from Keir Starmer following her visible distress in the Commons.

- Peter Walker

In her first comments since her tearful appearance at Wednesday's prime minister's questions, Reeves said she had been upset about a personal matter, and that the only real difference to someone else having a bad day at work was that she had to be seen on television.

Reeves was speaking after she unexpectedly joined the prime minister and Wes Streeting, the health secretary, at the launch of the NHS 10-year plan at a health centre in east London, receiving hugs from both colleagues.

She made a brief speech at the launch but did not mention Wednesday's events, talking only about the fiscal foundations of the NHS plan and calling the proposals "good for the health of our nation and good for the health of our nation's finances".

But speaking to TV reporters, Reeves said the reason for her upset was a personal issue unconnected to politics, insisting she was fine: "Clearly, I was upset yesterday, and everyone could see that. It was a personal issue and I'm not going to go into the details of that. My job as chancellor at 12 o'clock on a Wednesday is to be at PMQs next to the prime minister, supporting the government, and that's what I tried to do.