Wes Streeting has said briefing about a Labour leadership challenge is “self-defeating” and “doesn’t help anyone”, as he denied plotting to oust the Prime Minister.
Wes Streeting has said briefing about a Labour leadership challenge is ‘self-defeating’ and ‘doesn’t help anyone’, as he denied plotting to oust the Prime Minister.
It comes as the Government plunged into civil war last night as the Health Secretary was forced to deny plotting a coup against Mr Starmer. Speculation about the Prime Minister’s future exploded after Downing Street mounted an extraordinary bid to shore up his leadership amid fears his position could be under threat.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Mr Streeting said: “I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too many episodes of Celebrity Traitors. This is just about the worst attack on a faithful since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final. It’s totally self-defeated briefing, not least because it’s not true, and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the Prime Minister.”
Allies of the PM sought to warn of plotters by saying it would be irresponsible to displace Mr Starmer and made it clear he would fight any leadership challenge. But critics accused No10 of going into “complete bunker mode” – and said they have “shot themselves in the face”.
Mr Streeting was among the Cabinet Ministers named as possible plotters against the PM amid fears in No10 that Mr Starmer could face some sort of challenge after the Budget on November 26.
This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.
We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story.
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE. Get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters .
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following The Mirror every time you see our name.
-
Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community – CLICK HERE
-
Follow
-
The Mirror on Google News – CLICK HERE and click the star
-
Follow The Mirror on Apple News – CLICK HERE available on Apple devices
-
Follow The Mirror on Flipboard – CLICK HERE and click follow
You can sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news here @MirrorBreaking_ and follow us https://twitter.com/MirrorPolitics for all the latest updates.
Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MirrorPolitics/ . See all our social accounts you can follow here: mirror.co.uk/social