Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Move On After Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Negative Briefings
Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond party disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Miliband states the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rules out any party leader plans, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "strongest protection" against wanting the role again
- UK economic growth expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Situation
The political unrest started after allegations emerged about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to minimize the situation, the conversation between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The exchange was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to sack.
Miliband's Statement
In his early morning media interviews, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to concentrate on national priorities rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my call to the party now is clear, which is we need to prioritize the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a significant victory last July, a major opportunity to change our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, government data showed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial sector particularly affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its latest statistics
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the media
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
