Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond internal tensions after PM Keir Starmer directly said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories linked to Downing Street.
Key Updates
- Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street source responsible for briefing against Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rejects any leadership plans, stating his past experience as Labour leader was the "most effective protection" against desiring the role again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR hack
Background
The political controversy began after reports circulated about hostile background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to downplay the incident, the talk between Starmer and Streeting reportedly took a different turn.
Starmer apologised to Streeting, journalists have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than internal divisions.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my advice to the party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a historic election win last July, a major chance to improve our country. And we have a historic duty.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, government figures showed the UK economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production industry especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: NHS England issues its latest performance figures
- Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the journalists
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
