Keir Starmer has backed Wes Streeting and refuted the “completely unacceptable” No 10 leaks amid mounting speculation the prime minister could face a leadership coup.
As a civil war erupts at the top of the Labour Party, the health secretary has categorically denied that he is plotting to oust Sir Keir and called for those in Downing Street briefing against him to face the sack.
In a flurry of anonymous late-night briefings, allies of the prime minister came out fighting on his behalf amid fears his job could be under threat after the Budget in two weeks’ time. Among those touted as replacements are Mr Streeting as well as home secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Speaking during a fiery PMQs, Sir Keir said that “any attack on any member of my Cabinet is completely unacceptable”, and insisted that the health secretary is doing a “great job” as he highlighted his record on turning around the NHS.
However, the prime minister did not take the chance to say he has full confidence in his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, when the question was put to him by Kemi Badenoch.
The Conservative leader also accused Sir Keir of having “lost control of No 10” following the briefings.
Key Points
- PMQs: Starmer calls attacks on cabinet 'completely unacceptable' after briefings against Streeting
- PMQs: PM declines to say he has full confidence in Morgan McSweeney
- PMQs: Badenoch accuses Starmer of having 'lost control of No 10'
- Streeting hits out at Downing Street aides' attempt to ‘kneecap’ him
- Health secretary calls culture in No 10 'self-destructive' following briefings
Streeting speaks at NHS conference in Manchester
13:53 , Bryony GoochWe’ll bring you the updates as Wes Streeting speaks on NHS reform at a conference in Manchester.
Stay tuned for the top lines.
Starmer still has faith in McSweeney, No10 indicates
13:47 , Caitlin Doherty, Political CorrespondentNumber 10 indicated on Wednesday afternoon that the prime minister does still have confidence in his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
Asked about the matter during PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer declined to explicitly say he had confidence in his senior aide, saying that his team, including Mr McSweeney, are “absolutely focussed on delivering for the country”.
The prime minister’s press secretary said afterwards that the PM does have confidence in his aide and pointed to his words in the chamber.
Comment: By trying to save the PM, No 10 plotters have anointed Streeting as his successor
13:45 , Tara CobhamIt looks as if someone in Downing Street has misjudged their pre-emptive warning to plotters who would seek to undermine Keir Starmer and his leadership. It appears that top brass within Labour feared that the Budget, in two weeks, would be so unpopular that it would trigger a challenge to the PM.
Selected journalists have been told that Starmer would refuse to go quietly, and instead stand and fight any challenge – and that the markets would react badly to the instability.
But the briefing war has got out of hand. Some of it was aimed squarely at Wes Streeting, the ambitious and inescapably interesting health secretary.
John Rentoul writes:
By trying to save the PM, plotters have anointed Wes Streeting as his successor
Watch: Starmer labels Farage ‘utterly spineless’ for failing to condemn Reform councillor who called children in care 'evil'
13:30 , Tara CobhamDowning Street dismisses allegations of toxic culture at heart of Government
13:26 , Bryony GoochDowning Street will not be drawn into commenting on suggestions there is a toxic culture at the heart of Government.
Asked if the Prime Minister was concerned about sexism within No 10, the Prime Minister’s press secretary insisted there were “fantastic women at the very top of Government”.
Pressed if this meant Health Secretary Wes Streeting was wrong to talk about the need for a change of “culture” in No 10, she replied: “No. I am just setting out that we have fantastic women. I am not commenting directly on his comments.”
Asked if the PM was concerned about discontent among Labour backbenchers with his record, the press secretary told reporters: “You have got the Prime Minister’s words about always wanting to go further and faster on delivering for the British people. That is his sole focus. That is his Government’s sole focus. That is what Labour MPs are focused on as well.”
Sir Keir “engages regularly” with the Parliamentary Labour Party, she added, and he will continue to do so in the weeks ahead of the Budget and beyond.
MP blames rumours on 'pot stirrers who think they're much cleverer than rest of us'
13:15 , Tara CobhamThe chairwoman of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs, Jo White, blamed the leadership coup rumours on “a group of people who think they’re much cleverer than the rest of us, who spend their time selectively briefing journalists and stirring the pot”.
Another Labour MP told the PA news agency “whoever thought it was clever wants shooting” and “there is clearly a cultural problem”.
PMQs analysis: Starmer comes off the ropes to floor his own ally
13:04 , Joe MiddletonThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The prime minister was never going to have an easy PMQs after his own team briefed out claims that he was facing a coup.It made it one of the easier outings in PMQs that Kemi Badenoch will ever have and she did not fail to deliver.
The Tory leader went straight after a quote from health secretary Wes Streeting this morning where he called for those behind the claims he was leading a coup should be sacked while complaining of a “toxic culture” in Downing Street.
Forced into a corner, the prime minister was pressed on the role of his chief of staff M
McSweeney has been blamed squarely for the debacle last night and it was noticeable that for the first time, Sir Keir was not fulsome in his praise of defence of him.
It means that the result of this briefing may be that in order to survive the man who put Starmer in Downing Street could be the one sacrificed to save him.
This would have been unthinkable 24 hours ago and may still not happen but the focus is very much on those two men and whether there is room in Downing Street for the both.
Explained: The three ways Starmer could be ousted as PM after Streeting coup rumours
13:00 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has denied he is plotting to oust Sir Keir Starmer after Downing Street intervened in claims that a potential leadership coup is in the works.
Dismissing the speculation, the health secretary said the claims were “self-defeating and self-destructive”, comparing them to conspiracy theories.
He told Sky News on Wednesday: “I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors.”
Albert Toth explains:
The three ways Starmer could be ousted as PM after Streeting coup rumours
Watch: Starmer urges BBC to 'get house in order' after Trump's $1bn legal threat
12:43 , Tara CobhamBadenoch accuses Starmer of trying to 'cling on' to his own job
12:33 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer accepted that more needs to be done to tackle unemployment, as he was accused of trying to “cling on” to his own job.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “While the Prime Minister desperately tries to cling on to his own job, perhaps he understands what it’s like for all those people out there losing their jobs.
“Yesterday, we learned that unemployment has risen to the same rate as it was in lockdown.”
The Prime Minister insisted that 329,000 more people are in work since the start of the year.
He added: “I accept we need to do more in relation to unemployment. That’s why we’re transforming job centres, which they opposed.
“That’s why we’re working with 60 major businesses to tackle ill health in the workplace, and invested £3.8 billion in tailored back-to-work Support.”
Badenoch accuses Starmer of offering welfare giveaways to 'save his own skin'
12:28 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer is offering welfare giveaways to “save his own skin”, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the Commons.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs Badenoch said: “We left employment higher than it was after the last Labour government. And let me tell him now what is causing it is his disastrous budget last year. That is what has caused the increase in unemployment.
“And so, to be clear, for all those Labour MPs shaking their heads, it’s last year’s tax rises that have killed jobs, and that’s what’s going to trigger this year’s tax rises. This is the tax doom loop, and there is only one way out of it, and that is to cut spending.
“So why is the Prime Minister instead offering welfare giveaways to save his own skin?”
The Prime Minister replied: “I’ve told the leader of the opposition why we increased national insurance, it is because of the mess that they left the country in.”
He went on to press Mrs Badenoch “how she would find the money” raised from Labour’s increase in employers’ national insurance contributions.
Watch: Badenoch takes Labour leadership jibe at Starmer and Streeting in heated PMQs
12:27 , Tara CobhamSpeaker forced to intervene after Starmer's insistence government is 'united team' met with laughter
12:26 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer was met with laughter from the opposition benches when he insisted that the government was a “united team”.
He added: “The Bank of England has upgraded growth today, we’ve secured £230 billion of private investment.”
The Speaker of the House was forced to intervene, telling MPs that if they wish to audition for a pantomime, they should “go to the Old Vic”.
Badenoch accuses PM of having 'lost control of Number 10'
12:25 , Tara CobhamKemi Badenoch has accused the Prime Minister of having lost control of Number 10, following briefings against the Health Secretary.
Speaking at PMQs, she said: “He says these attacks aren’t authorised.
“That means he’s lost control of Number 10, because that’s where they’re coming from.
“The real scandal is that two weeks from a budget, the Government has descended into a civil war, instead of fixing the economy the mess they’ve made of the economy.
“The Prime Minister’s advisors have been reduced to briefing that MPs can’t get rid of him, and I’m not making this up, because it would destabilise international markets.”
Farage gives Starmer notice on migrant hotels
12:23 , Joe MiddletonThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The Reform UK leader did not seem very interested in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership woes, instead he used his question to go for his favourite subject - immigration.
Nigel Farage announced that Reform run West Northamptonshire Council would be delivering foreclosure notices on three migrant hotels in their area. To cat calls from Labour he claimed it was to protect women and children.
But the challenge was really on Labour’s vague promise of closing all migrant hotels in a week where a government challenge prevented the council in Epping closing one.
Starmer turns his fire on Reform to unite those behind him
12:20 , Joe MiddletonThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
A friendly placed question by Ashford Labour MP Sojan Joseph gave Sir Keir Starmer an easy outlet to remind those behind him and next to him on the Labour benches who the real enemy is.
Mr Joseph focussed on the failures of Reform run Kent County Council which gave the prime minister the chance to remind everyone of the “catastrophe” of Reform in power.
The tactic has been in place since the party conference when focussing on Nigel Farage and Reform was the way of uniting the party.
After Downing Street started briefing against cabinet ministers though the tactic now seems a bit hollow.
Starmer calls attacks on cabinet 'completely unacceptable' after briefings against Streeting
12:17 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer said attacks on any of his cabinet members is “completely unacceptable”, after briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch had asked if Mr Streeting was right when he said there was a “toxic culture in Downing Street that needs to change”.
Sir Keir replied: “My focus each and every day is on rebuilding and renewing our country. But let me be absolutely clear, any attack on any member of my cabinet is completely unacceptable.”
He said Mr Streeting had out-performed expectations by delivering five million extra appointments within the first year of a Labour government, higher than the two million pledged.
“He’s doing a great job, as is the whole of my Cabinet,” Sir Keir said.
Labour MP accuses Downing Street of ‘epic own goal’
12:15 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
A furious senior Labour backbencher has messaged to express fury over the “epic own goal” by Downing Street.
They said: “What a shambles and own goal from no 10, they’ve literally created a story that wasn’t needed and has backfired spectacularly, even those that weren’t Wes Streeting fans are now thinking what the Hell!”
“This is hugely embarrassing for no 10 but a huge win for Wes. It’s an Epic own goal!”
Sir Keir Starmer declines to say he has full confidence in Morgan McSweeney
12:15 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
The prime minister did not take the chance to say he has full confidence in his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
Asked the question by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch at PMQs, Sir Keir said: "Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focussed on delivering for the country.
"And let me be clear, of course I've never authorised attacks on Cabinet members, I appointed them to their posts because they're the best people to carry out their jobs."
He also mentioned various Labour policy points on the NHS.
Mrs Badenoch said: "I didn't hear him give full confidence to Morgan McSweeney."
'Government has descended into civil war,' Badenoch says
12:14 , Tara CobhamKemi Badenoch has said the government has “descended into civil war”.
During PMQs, the Conservative leader said: “Two weeks before the Budget the government has descended into civil war instead of fixing the mess made of the government.”
In reference to the briefings Downing Street gave overnight, she added: “These are feral MPs No 10 has been talking about – they’re not my words, they’re No 10’s words.”
Starmer backs Streeting: 'He's doing a great job'
12:11 , Tara CobhamKeir Starmer has backed Wes Streeting amid rumours the health secretary is mounting a leadership coup.
The prime minister told the Commons during PMQs that Mr Streeting “is doing a great job”, adding, “as is the rest of my cabinet”.
Kemi Badenoch goes for the Keir Starmer’s throat
12:10 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The Tory leader wasted no time in going after the prime minister and the “toxic culture” in Downing Street.
The language was taken from the morning broadcast round interviews by health secretary Wes Streeting who called for people in Downing Street to be sacked after he was briefed against last night.
The second question put the focus on Morgan McSweeney, the controversial chief of staff in Downing Street who many are now blaming for this briefing which has plunged the government into crisis.
Sir Keir’s defence of McSweeney was not fulsome and his claims he has “a united team” was met with laughter.
This is proving to be an easy PMQs outing for Ms Badenoch.
Analysis: Kemi Badenoch goes for Keir Starmer’s throat
12:09 , Joe MiddletonThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The Tory leader wasted no time in going after the prime minister and the “toxic culture” in Downing Street.The language was taken from the morning broadcast round interviews by health secretary Wes Streeting who called for people in Downing Street to be sacked after he was briefed against last night.
The second question put the focus on Morgan McSweeney, the controversial chief of staff in Downing Street who many are now blaming for this briefing which has plunged the government into crisis.Sir Keir’s defence of McSweeney was not fulsome and his claims he has “a united team” was met with laughter.
This is proving to be an easy PMQs outing for Ms Badenoch.
Tory MP jokes about 'bloody and violent attempted coup'
12:06 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has faced the first jibe about the leadership crisis that engulfed Number 10 on Tuesday evening.
Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp associated himself with the PM's comments marking Armistice Day at PMQs, and said: "I particularly remember in 1997 in west Africa where I somehow managed to survive a bloody and violent attempted coup.
"So if the prime minister wants and ideas about how to do that he only has to ask."
Tories can hardly believe Labour have borrowed from their playbook
12:05 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
A former senior Tory adviser to a prime minister has expressed astonishment that Labour MPs seem to be following the example of their party in wanting to depose leaders.
They said: “The biggest difference between Labour and us is that it took us almost 14 years to get to this circular firing squad.
“Labour have got there in 18 months and somehow managed to skip doing any of the good bits on the way.”
John Curtice warns Labour not to make the same mistake as the Tories
12:03 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Professor Sir John Curtice, the leading pollster, has warned that if Labour follows the example of the Tories and deposes an unpopular leader to save themselves then they need to do it better than the Tories did.
Asked if ditching Sir Keir Starmer would work for Labour, he said: “Depends on how it is done and the quality of the replacement. The Tories did not choose well!”
When Theresa May was deposed the Tories picked Boris Johnson who himself was then forced out and replaced by Liz Truss.
But she only survived 49 days after her disastrous mini Budget and her replacement Rishi Sunak was unable to rescue the party from record defeat.
Watch live: Keir Starmer faces PMQs as Wes Streeting denies leadership coup rumours
12:02 , Tara Cobham Watch live: Starmer faces PMQs as Streeting denies leadership coup rumours
PMQs set to begin as Starmer faces Labour leadership crisis
12:00 , Tara CobhamPrime Minister’s Questions is about to begin in the House of Commons.
It comes as Keir Starmer is facing threats to his leadership.
Full story: Labour leadership crisis erupts after Streeting denies plotting to bring down Starmer
11:40 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has hit back at claims that he wants to take on Sir Keir Starmer, following an extraordinary intervention from Downing Street over suggestions of an upcoming leadership challenge.
The health secretary said on Sky News on Wednesday morning that he does not understand “how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the prime minister”, and ruled out launching a bid for the top job after the Budget at the end of this month.
Downing Street was preparing to defend the prime minister from any attempt to remove him in a coup on Tuesday night, with a number of ministers, including home secretary Shabana Mahmood and Mr Streeting, being proposed as a successor.
The Independent’s politics team reports:
Labour leadership crisis erupts after Streeting denies plotting to bring down Starmer
Watch: Streeting dismisses Labour leadership challenge rumours as ‘Celebrity Traitors’ fiction
11:20 , Tara Cobham Streeting dismisses leadership challenge rumours as ‘Celebrity Traitors’ fiction
Streeting compares leadership challenge claims to conspiracy theories
11:00 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has compared claims he is planning a leadership challenge to conspiracy theories.
Asked whether he was planning a leadership challenge, the Health Secretary told Sky News: “No, and I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.
“It’s totally self defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the Prime Minister either.”
Asked if he would rule out demanding Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation after the Budget, he said: “Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK.
“I don’t know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don’t think they were fake.”
Streeting hits out at No 10 attempt to ‘kneecap’ him
10:49 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has accused Number 10 of attempting to “kneecap” him as he denied claims that he is plotting to oust Keir Starmer.
Mr Streeting told Sky News the briefings show there needs to be a change in “culture” in the Labour Party.
He added: “I do think that trying to kneecap one of your own team when they are out, not just making the case for the government, but actually delivering the change that we promised, I think that is also self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour.”
Lib Dem deputy leader warns stories around No 10 'incredibly damaging' to markets ahead of Budget
10:34 , Tara CobhamLib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said stories emerging around No 10 were “incredibly damaging” to the markets ahead of the Budget.
“I think that Wes Streeting should be focused on sorting out the crisis in the NHS, not the crisis in No 10.
“If No 10 has realised that the country is frustrated and they’ve internalised that as a party, that is a good thing because it gives us hope they might start to turn things around.
“But on the other hand, we are just two weeks away from the Budget.
“These kind of stories are incredibly damaging for the markets and for investors, both domestic and international and as a country we don’t want that … to be so destabilising.”
Britain needs to show it is “open for business” she told reporters after a speech at a pub in London on Lib Dem budget proposals.
Full story: Wes Streeting demands sackings in No 10 after he’s accused of plotting to oust Starmer as PM
10:15 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack those responsible for "self-defeating" rumours about a Labour leadership challenge in an extraordinary attack on Downing Street.
The health secretary demanded change at the top No 10 following reports that unnamed aides had accused him of plotting to oust Sir Keir.
Mr Streeting denied threatening to oust Sir Keir.
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Streeting demands sackings in No 10 after he’s accused of plotting to oust Starmer
Streeting insists Starmer 'is not fighting for his job this morning' after 'daft' briefing
10:07 , Tara CobhamHealth Secretary Wes Streeting said briefing about a potential leadership challenge was “daft” and that the “Prime Minister is not fighting for his job this morning”.
Asked if he would ever want to be prime minister, Mr Streeting told LBC: “I just think this is ridiculous. And no, the Prime Minister is not fighting for his job this morning.
“In fact, the last time I saw the Prime Minister on Monday evening with a small group of Cabinet colleagues, was to talk about how we’re going to fight the scourge of violence against women and girls.
“So I think this is daft, to be honest.”
Political turmoil appears to have unsettled the City
09:47 , Tara CobhamUK Government borrowing costs ticked higher on Wednesday morning, as the price of gilts – UK Government bonds – slipped in value amid speculation over a leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Yields on 10-year-gilts, which move counter to the price of the bonds, rose by 3 basis points to 4.42% in early trading. The yield on the longer-term 30-year-gilt also rose by a similar amount.
The rise come after yields had dropped significantly on Tuesday after rising unemployment and falling wage growth prompted predictions of interest rate cuts.
The value of the pound also moved 0.02% higher to 1.315 against the dollar.
It came after a flurry of late-night briefings from Number 10 in which allies of the Prime Minister came out fighting on his behalf amid fears his job could be under threat after the Budget in two weeks’ time.
Streeting calls for change in 'culture' in Labour Party
09:32 , Tara CobhamBriefing about a potential leadership challenge shows there needs to be a change in “culture” in the Labour Party, Wes Streeting has said.
The Health Secretary told Sky News: “What I think this does show is that when Lucy Powell stood to be deputy leader of the Labour Party and said there needed to be a culture change in how we lead and how the party is managed, I think she has been vindicated.”
He added: “I do think that going out and calling your Labour MPs feral is not very helpful.
“I do think that trying to kneecap one of your own team when they are out, not just making the case for the Government, but actually delivering the change that we promised, I think that is also self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour.
“I also think whoever did this doesn’t speak for the Prime Minister. I speak for the Prime Minister.”
He added he thought Sir Keir Starmer would be “horrified” reading reports of briefing against Cabinet members.
Streeting insists he can't see any circumstances in which he'd challenge Starmer
09:20 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has insisted that he could not see any circumstances in which he would challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership.
Asked whether he would rule out standing against Sir Keir in the future, he told BBC Breakfast: “I cannot see circumstances in which I would do that to our Prime Minister.”
He added: “I also think that taking on that job feels like more of a punishment than anything else at the moment, given how hard the Prime Minister’s job is, that’s why he’s got full support.
“That’s why I constantly support him in the job that he’s doing. And I’ve always been a team player. That is how I do things, and that’s how I will always do things.”
'This is not time or place for leadership challenge briefing,' Red Wall group chair says
09:00 , Tara CobhamThe chairwoman of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs said “this is neither the time or the place” for briefing about a leadership challenge.
Bassetlaw MP Jo White told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Our enemies love nothing more than when we start fighting like dogs in public, and my message to those MPs who are running around with their tails held high: That this is neither the time or the place.
“This is a group of people who think they’re much cleverer than the rest of us, who spend their time selectively briefing journalists and stirring the pot. I want to simply say: We’re not having it.
“I’m not aware of a single person in the red wall group who’s involved in this. And if anyone, including Wes Streeting, wants to make a move, they would have to speak to us. He’s a London MP and it hasn’t happened and it’s not true.”
Ms White added: “I’d like to say to No 10, I think they’re barking up the wrong tree, briefing against Wes.
“I’ve known Wes since he was NUS president. He’s one of the tiny handful of MPs who came up to Bassetlaw to help me with my election.
“He’s only just recently written a really kind letter to one of my members who lost her husband. And I think I’d know – he’d tell me if he was manoeuvring.”
Streeting dismisses 'silly' and 'juvenile' briefings against him from No 10
08:47 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting dismissed the “silly” and “juvenile” behind-the-scenes briefings against him from No 10.
The Health Secretary told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “What I’d say to the silly No 10 briefer is that every time they put these sorts of things out, whether it’s about me or anyone else, to be honest, it distracts from telling what I think is a positive story for Labour to tell.
“It stops us getting a Labour argument across, and that’s why it’s not just juvenile, it’s self-defeating.”
Asked if he knew who was responsible he said: “No. If I did, I would tell the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister would sack them.
“That’s the other thing I know about this Prime Minister: nothing grinds his gears more than this kind of like Westminster bubble stuff and the briefings to newspapers.
“You don’t see him angry often, but at Cabinet meetings, the only time I’ve seen him really angry is when there have been briefings against colleagues.”
Asked if Sir Keir Starmer had lost control of his No 10 operation, Mr Streeting said: “I wouldn’t put it like that, I would say there are some people in Downing Street who evidently do not model the behaviours and style of leadership that the Prime Minister models.”
Streeting calls culture in No 10 'self-destructive' following briefings
08:36 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has described the culture in Number 10 as “self-destructive” following a flurry of late-night briefings.
The health secretary told Sophy Ridge on Sky News: “I do think that trying to kneecap one of your own team when they are out, not just making the case for the government, but actually delivering the change that we promised, I think that is self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour.
“I also think whoever did this doesn't speak for the prime minister – I speak for the prime minister.”
🗣️ 'Nor did I shoot JFK… I had nothing to do with Shergar, and I don’t think the moon landings are fake.'
— Ridge & Frost (@RidgeandFrost) November 12, 2025
Wes Streeting denies plotting to oust the PM when questioned by @SophyRidgeSky
Live updates: https://t.co/rE7Crma0t1
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Watch: Labour MP addresses Starmer and Streeting leadership challenge rumours
08:25 , Tara CobhamStreeting calls for Starmer to sack those behind 'self-defeating' briefing about leadership
08:13 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting called for Sir Keir Starmer to sack those around him who were behind the “self-defeating” briefing about the leadership.
The Health Secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “It’s bad enough when events knock you off course, to get your message across.
“It is worse still when self-defeating briefing knocks us of course and stops us from telling what I think is a strong message of change and delivery that we’ve got right across the government. ”
Asked if Sir Keir had contacted him since the briefings on Tuesday night, Mr Streeting said: “No, and I think he’s got better things to do with his life and I wouldn’t expect him to. In fact, if he does, I’ll tell him ‘why are you bothering with this’.”
He added: “It says that there are people around the Prime Minister who do not follow his model and style of leadership. I can tell you, without having even spoken to the Prime Minister, what he thinks of briefing, what his reaction will be to the front pages and the broadcast bulletins overnight and the words I’m sure he would use are not suitable for a family show like this.”
Asked if he should sack those responsible, Mr Streeting said: “Yes. But he’s got to find them first and I wouldn’t expect him to waste loads of time on this.”
Streeting hits back: Briefing on Starmer leadership challenge 'self-defeating'
08:07 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has denied plotting to oust the prime minister, blasting the "self-defeating" briefing.
Asked whether he was planning a leadership challenge, the Health Secretary told Sky News: “No, and I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.
“It’s totally self defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the Prime Minister either.”
Asked if he would rule out demanding Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation after the Budget, he said: “Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK."
Analysis: Labour MPs fearful their careers are already over have left Starmer in danger
08:05 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin writes:
A few months ago, Scottish Labour MPs started saying to each other, only half-jokingly, that there were only three of them coming back after the next election.
The figure is extraordinary in itself. But that’s before you factor in that Labour’s landslide last year meant there are currently 37 of them. That is 34 MPs who fear their political careers are already over – many before they have barely begun.
The pattern is repeated across England and Wales.
That is why Starmer is currently in so much danger. Many Labour MPs came into parliament planing to be loyal to this government.
But they are finding it more and more difficult to be loyal to a leader they feel may lose them their job.
Watch: Those spreading Labour leadership rumours have been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, Wes Streeting says
08:04 , Tara CobhamNo 10 holds flurry of late-night briefings amid fears PM's job under threat
08:04 , Tara CobhamNumber 10 held a flurry of late-night briefings in which allies of the prime minister came out fighting on his behalf amid fears his job could be under threat after the Budget in two weeks’ time.
The briefings came as part of a ploy to put down several senior Labour figures who are said to be “on manoeuvres” to supplant Sir Keir Starmer, according to reporting by the Guardian, Times and BBC, among others.
No 10 has singled out Health Secretary Wes Streeting to warn off other potential leadership challenges from senior Labour figures including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the reports said.
Streeting rules out bid to challenge Starmer
08:01 , Tara CobhamWes Streeting has denied wanting to oust the prime minister, comparing rumours he is plotting a leadership challenge to conspiracy theories.
The health secretary categorically ruled out a bid to challenge Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday morning, describing rumours as “unhelpful” and “self-defeating”.
Asked if he would rule out demanding Sir Keir’s resignation after the Budget, he told Sky News: “Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK.
“I don’t know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don’t think they were fake.”
Dismissing the coup rumours, he said: “I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.
“It’s totally self-defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the Prime Minister either.”