Biden isn't senile, insists Starmer as stars join calls for president to quit race.

PM leaps to defence of leader as Michael Douglas follows George Clooney in calling for new Democratic candidate

- DAVID MADDOX

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that Joe Biden is not senile as he leapt to the president’s defence amid growing calls for him to step aside from the US election race.

The prime minister had his first bilateral meeting with the president in the White House on Wednesday in what proved to be a friendly meeting of political allies which both sides hope will mend the damage done by Brexit to the special relationship.

But it came after actor George Clooney wrote an article in The New York Times urging Biden not to run against Donald Trump in November, while fellow Hollywood star Michael Douglas said it would be “hard to imagine” Biden serving his full term as president even if he is re-elected.

Concerns have intensified over Biden’s health after his first presidential election debate with Trump last month on CNN where the president looked confused and in poor health.