Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Move On Following Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour official Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside internal tensions after Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over negative briefings coming from Number 10.
Important Developments
- Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 source behind for briefing against Streeting if discovered
- Miliband dismisses any leadership ambitions, saying his past experience as leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the position again
- UK economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Situation
The internal unrest began after allegations circulated about negative background comments from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial efforts to minimize the situation, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister apparently took a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, the media have been told. The discussion was brief, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to remove.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning media interviews, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on national issues rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my advice to the party now is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not each other.
We were given a historic victory last July, a historic chance to transform our country. And we have a historic duty.
Growth Update
In other news, official data revealed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial sector particularly affected by the recently reported JLR hack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England issues its latest data
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
