'Lady Basildon' has joined Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in key talks over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Baroness Angela Smith, who is the Labour leader in the House of Lords, was joined by other shadow cabinet ministers in the discussions held in the Cabinet Office. 

Sir Keir tweeted pictures of the former Basildon MP and his shadow team when issuing a rallying call for unity on Twitter. 

He wrote: "Putin seeks division. So we must stand united.

"Today, Angela Rayner, John Healey, DavidLammy and Lady Basildon and I attended meetings in the Cabinet Office, before I spoke to the American Ambassador, to discuss the situation in Ukraine."

It comes as Boris Johnson has promised a “massive” package of economic measures in tandem with the US and European Union after the Russian president finally launched the invasion which had been feared for weeks.

In a sombre address to the nation, the Prime Minister said the world cannot stand by and allow the freedom of Ukraine to be “snuffed out”, as Moscow hit its neighbour with a wide-ranging attack, targeting cities and bases with air strikes or shelling.

“This act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on Ukraine, it’s an attack on democracy and freedom in eastern Europe and around the world,” Mr Johnson said from Downing Street.

A “vast invasion” has been launched by land, sea and air and “innumerable missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population”, he said.

Mr Johnson was woken with news of the invasion in the night and spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after 4am.

The Prime Minister said: “Today in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.

“Diplomatically, politically, economically, and, eventually, militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”

Mr Johnson is expected to announce the latest round of sanctions after 5pm today.