The Prime Minister discussed the UK's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan with Mark Rutte

Sir Keir Starmer has met with Nato chief Mark Rutte in Downing Street just hours after reports suggested the Prime Minister was eyeing up a future job as the bloc's secretary-general in Brussels.

Nato's secretary-general position will become vacant in 2028 unless the ex-Dutch Prime Minister's tenure is extended by consent of all 32 member states.

However, the pair did not discuss Mr Rutte's future in Brussels during today's meeting at No10.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister hosted the Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte at Downing Street today.

"The leaders began by discussing the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

"The Prime Minister set out how his plan would focus on readiness and autonomous capability, ensuring British forces would have the equipment they need to keep the UK and its Nato allies safe.

"The leaders then reflected on their recent diplomatic meetings, including at the G7, the E5 in Berlin and the Secretary General's visit to the US.

"They discussed the strong international support for Ukraine and looked ahead to the outcomes of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara.

"Ukraine would form a key part of European security long into the future, with the strongest armed forces in Europe, the leaders agreed.

"On the Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister and Secretary General discussed the need to ensure the safe passage of global shipping and the Prime Minister updated on the UK's military assets in the region to support a multi-national mission when the conditions allowed. They both looked forward to speaking again soon."

Despite insisting the Prime Minister will not look to take a key role at the United Nations last week, The Observer claimed Sir Keir is interested in a job at Nato.

Sir Keir has spent a considerable amount of time on the world stage since securing the keys to No10 in July 2024.

The outgoing Prime Minister spent more than two and a half months abroad during his 17-month stint in power.

Sir Keir has travelled more and further than any other British leader in official history, including almost double the distance that Sir Tony Blair covered in the same period in office.

The process of becoming Nato secretary-general also poses significant challenges to Sir Keir, with a series of informal meetings needing to take place before the final decision is taken with the consent of all 32 member states.

Sir Keir could also cause a major headache for his successor as Labour leader by triggering a by-election in his Holborn & St Pancras seat if he takes the job in Brussels.

Holborn & St Pancras has been held by Labour since its inception in 1983, with the area last electing a non-Labour MP in 1959.

However, Zack Polanski's Green Party now sees the once-safe seat as a key target ahead of the next general election.

Following speculation about the Prime Minister's future last week, a spokesman for Sir Keir insisted he is "going to remain" a Labour MP and serve out the remainder of his term in the House of Commons.

Sir Keir is not expected to want to undertake a role in a future Labour Cabinet.

Addressing Cabinet colleagues last week, the Prime Minister said: “This is the end of my journey, but this is not the end of yours.”

Prime Ministers have taken various career paths after leaving No10 in recent years.

Sir Tony Blair and Lord Cameron opted to trigger snap by-elections after tendering their respective resignations in 2007 and 2016.

Meanwhile, Baroness May and Gordon Brown decided not to contest their respective seats of Maidenhead and Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath a few years after relinquishing power.