Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind party disputes after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging briefings originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will sack the No 10 staffer behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband dismisses any leadership plans, saying his previous experience as leader was the "most effective protection" against wanting the role again
- British economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the JLR hack
Situation
The political controversy began after media stories circulated about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Although initial attempts to minimize the incident, the talk between Starmer and Streeting apparently followed a more serious turn.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been told. The conversation was brief, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to remove.
Miliband's Response
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on national matters rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my message to the Labour party now is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the country, not each other.
We were given a major mandate last July, a major chance to transform our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Economic Update
In other news, government figures revealed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector particularly impacted by the recently reported JLR hack.
Today's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service issues its latest performance figures
- Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
