Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Move On Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind party disputes after PM Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over hostile media stories coming from Number 10.
Important Updates
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will sack the No 10 staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rejects any leadership aspirations, stating his past time as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against wanting the role again
- British economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Situation
The political controversy began after allegations circulated about hostile briefings from Starmer's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to downplay the matter, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting according to sources followed a more serious direction.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, the media have been told. The conversation was brief, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to remove.
Miliband's Reaction
In his early morning broadcast interviews, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my message to the party now is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not each other.
We were given a historic election win last July, a major opportunity to improve our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Economic Update
Meanwhile, government statistics showed the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production industry particularly hit by the recent JLR hack.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister announces plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
