Rachel Reeves smiles and laughs in show of unity with Keir Starmer after Commons tears

Rachel Reeves was seen laughing and smiling as she appeared in public with the Prime Minister a day after breaking down in tears in the Commons.

The Chancellor joined Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting at the launch of the Government's 10-year NHS plan in east London on Thursday morning.

She said she had “clearly” been upset at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday but declined to go into details.

The Labour ministers put on a united front, with Ms Reeves telling Mr Streeting “good luck in Parliament” after he introduced her in front of the crowd in Stratford.

The public show of unity came after Sir Keir gave his full backing to his Chancellor and denied that her public appearance was a bid to calm the markets after the pound slumped amid speculation about her future.

See also: A year that ends in tears — Rachel Reeves's time in number 11

Reeves and pain: The Chancellor began her tenure with four big decisions that have dogged her ever since (PRU/AFP via Getty Images)

Ms Reeves did not give the reason behind her tears in the Commons stating it was a “a personal issue”.

She told broadcasters: “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.

“I guess the thing that maybe is a bit different between my job and many of your viewers' is that when I'm having a tough day it's on the telly and most people don't have to deal with that.”

Sir Keir said he did not appreciate how upset his Chancellor was when sat next to him at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday because he had been focused on his answers.

“I'm trying not to stand here and speak for the Chancellor, but as she's made clear on a number of occasions, yesterday was a personal issue, and I'm certainly not going to say anything more about that,” he said.

"I think it's just fantastic she's here and, as I say, none of this would be happening if she hadn't taken the decisions that she's taken.

"So she took those decisions, and she would take them for many years to come."