Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind party conflicts after Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over hostile leaked comments originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Miliband states the Prime Minister will sack the No 10 staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband rejects any party leader plans, declaring his previous time as leader was the "best inoculation" against seeking the position again
- UK economy increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR cyber-attack
Background
The internal controversy started after media stories surfaced about critical briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to downplay the situation, the discussion between the PM and Streeting according to sources took a more serious turn.
Starmer apologised to Streeting, the media have been informed. The discussion was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than internal disputes.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, certainly.
But my message to the Labour members today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not each other.
We were given a significant victory last summer, a important opportunity to transform our country. And we have a historic duty.
Economic News
In other news, official data indicated the UK economic performance increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the industrial sector particularly hit by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its monthly performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey