Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind internal conflicts after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over damaging media stories originating from Number 10.
Key Updates
- Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 official responsible for targeting Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rules out any party leader aspirations, declaring his past time as Labour leader was the "best protection" against wanting the role again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Background
The internal controversy began after media stories circulated about critical background comments from Starmer's team targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to downplay the matter, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting reportedly took a different direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The conversation was short, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Statement
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to concentrate on national matters rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my call to the party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not each other.
We were given a historic election win last summer, a important opportunity to transform our nation. And we have a serious duty.
Economic News
In other news, official data revealed the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector especially hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England issues its monthly data
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer highlights government plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
