Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind party conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories linked to Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street source responsible for targeting Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rules out any leadership aspirations, stating his previous time as leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
- British economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Background
The internal controversy began after reports emerged about negative briefings from Starmer's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial attempts to dismiss the situation, the discussion between the PM and Streeting apparently followed a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The conversation was brief, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning media interviews, Miliband highlighted the need for the party to focus on national issues rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour members now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the country, not each other.
We were given a historic election win last July, a major opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, official figures showed the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial industry particularly affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England issues its latest statistics
- Morning: The Health Secretary visits Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
