Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Move On Following Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond party disputes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over hostile leaked comments linked to Number 10.
Major Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street source responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband dismisses future party leader plans, stating his past experience as leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the JLR hack
Context
The internal turmoil erupted after media stories circulated about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to dismiss the situation, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, the media have been informed. The exchange was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on national priorities rather than internal divisions.
Look, I think the media briefing has been bad, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour party now is clear, which is we need to prioritize the country, not ourselves.
We were given a historic victory last summer, a historic opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, government data revealed the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production sector especially affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its latest statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
