Prime Minister Issues Personal Apology to Health Secretary
Sir Keir Starmer has personally apologised to his Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, following damaging allegations from the Prime Minister's allies that Mr Streeting was plotting a leadership coup. The apology came during a brief conversation between the two men on Wednesday evening, though Sky News understands specific details about the briefing campaign were not discussed.
This extraordinary development follows a turbulent 24 hours in Westminster that exposed significant tensions within the Labour government. The Prime Minister's team had launched what appeared to be a coordinated attack on Mr Streeting on Tuesday night, aiming to ward off any potential challenge to Sir Keir's leadership following the upcoming budget.
"Watching Too Much Celebrity Traitors": Streeting Hits Back
Speaking to Sky News' Mornings With Ridge And Frost, Wes Streeting vehemently denied the allegations, labelling them as "not true". In a pointed remark that captured the surreal nature of the political drama, the Health Secretary suggested that whoever was behind the briefings had been "watching too much Celebrity Traitors".
Mr Streeting used the television interview to insist on his loyalty to the Prime Minister, stating he was a "faithful" member of the team. This public display of unity comes at a critical time for the Labour Party, which is currently floundering behind Reform in the polls, placing Sir Keir under mounting pressure.
The political firestorm erupted just hours before Prime Minister's Questions, where Sir Keir publicly denied authorising the attacks on his Health Secretary. The alleged plot would have seen Mr Streeting challenge for the leadership after the budget later this month, a budget that could see the government announce manifesto-breaking tax rises.
Broader Implications and a Toxic Culture in Number 10
The controversy has cast a harsh spotlight on the internal culture of Downing Street. Mr Streeting himself hit out at what he described as a "toxic culture" inside Number 10, raising serious questions about the Prime Minister's control over his own office.
Further pressure has fallen on the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. During PMQs, Sir Keir notably failed to say he had "full confidence" in Mr McSweeney when questioned by Kemi Badenoch. However, the Prime Minister's political spokesperson later insisted to journalists that he does retain his backing. It is understood that Mr McSweeney was not discussed during the apology call between Sir Keir and Mr Streeting.
Labour chairwoman Anna Turley stated that the Prime Minister will investigate the source of the claims against the health secretary, telling ITV: "This is not what he wants to see and he's determined to drive it out."
Senior figures have suggested to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby that while a post-budget challenge is currently viewed as unlikely, the situation could change dramatically if next May's elections—including those in London and Wales—go badly for Labour. The party faces a dual challenge, being squeezed by Reform on the right and parties like the Greens and Plaid Cymru on the left.
