Sir Keir Starmer has refused to repeat his call for Boris Johnson to resign over “partygate”, saying politicians should demonstrate “unity” after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Despite a Labour spokesman insisting that the party had not withdrawn its call for the Prime Minister to leave office, both the party leader and shadow defence secretary dodged questions about the issue and talked up Labour’s support for the Government’s sanctions.

Asked on the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme whether he stood by his position that the Prime Minister was an “immense damage to public trust” and should stand down, Sir Keir said: “I do think there’s a basic question of trust and it does seem a long time ago now we were talking about all the allegations the Prime Minister faces.

“He of course is still being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. I do think there’s an issue of trust.”

Pushed on the issue, the Labour leader said it was important “in the United Kingdom and in our politics that we show the world we are united”.

He added: “Therefore, whatever the challenges and frustrations and criticism I have of the Prime Minister, and I’ve got many, on this issue there is unity.

“At the moment the Prime Minister is obviously concentrating on the job in hand. And we stand united as the UK on that issue.”

A Labour spokesman later said: “Our position is unchanged, we haven’t withdrawn our call for Boris Johnson to resign,” the spokesman said.