Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On Following 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 tensions after PM Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging leaked comments originating from Downing Street.
Major Events
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street staffer responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rules out future leadership plans, declaring his previous experience as Labour leader was the "best protection" against seeking the position again
- UK economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR hack
Situation
The political turmoil erupted after media stories surfaced about negative briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to downplay the matter, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting according to sources took a different direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The discussion was brief, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national issues rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a major victory last summer, a major opportunity to change our nation. And we have a major obligation.
Economic News
Separately, government figures revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial sector especially affected by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its latest data
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
