Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside internal disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 official behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband rejects future party leader ambitions, stating his past experience as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against wanting the role again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the JLR cyber-attack
Context
The political controversy erupted after reports circulated about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to dismiss the incident, the discussion between the PM and Streeting according to sources took a different direction.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Response
In his morning media appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on national priorities rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my message to the Labour members today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a major victory last July, a historic chance to change our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, government figures indicated the UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its latest statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its daily media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
