Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Aggressive Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour official Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind internal tensions after leader Keir Starmer personally said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative leaked comments originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Major Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for targeting Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rejects any leadership ambitions, saying his past time as leader was the "best inoculation" against wanting the position again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR cyber-attack
Context
The internal controversy erupted after allegations surfaced about critical briefings from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to dismiss the incident, the talk between Starmer and the health minister reportedly took a different turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, the media have been advised. The exchange was brief, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to focus on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been bad, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a major mandate last summer, a important chance to transform our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Economic News
In other news, government data revealed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production industry especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
