Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a personal apology to his Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, following a damaging public row in which Streeting was accused of plotting a leadership coup. The incident has exposed significant tensions within the Labour Party as it trails behind Reform UK in the polls.
The 'Traitors' Allegation and the Prime Minister's Response
The political crisis erupted after allies of the Prime Minister launched a public attack on Mr Streeting on Tuesday night. The briefings to the media identified the Health Secretary as a potential threat to Sir Keir's leadership, suggesting he might challenge for the top job after the government's budget later this month.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir denied authorising the attacks on his cabinet colleague. Sky News understands that the Prime Minister then spoke briefly with Mr Streeting on Wednesday evening to apologise, though he did not share specific details about the source of the briefing campaign.
Streeting's Defence and Internal Party Tensions
Wes Streeting was quick to dismiss the allegations, telling Sky News' Mornings With Ridge And Frost that the claims were 'not true'. In a pointed reference to the popular BBC reality show, he suggested that whoever was behind the briefings had been 'watching too much Celebrity Traitors'.
He forcefully insisted on his loyalty to the Prime Minister, stating he was a 'faithful' member of the team. This defence comes at a time of mounting pressure on Sir Keir, with the Labour Party floundering in opinion polls.
The political manoeuvring is understood to be a pre-emptive strike by Downing Street to ward off any potential challenge to Sir Keir following the upcoming budget. The government is facing difficult decisions, with the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves having refused to rule out raising income tax, national insurance, or VAT – moves that could break manifesto commitments.
Broader Fallout and a 'Toxic Culture'
The row has also intensified scrutiny on the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. Mr Streeting had previously hit out at a 'toxic culture' inside Number 10. During PMQs, Sir Keir notably failed to say he had 'full confidence' in Mr McSweeney when questioned by Kemi Badenoch, though a political spokesperson later insisted he did retain the Prime Minister's backing.
According to Sky News, Mr McSweeney was not discussed during the conciliatory call between Sir Keir and Mr Streeting. Meanwhile, 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.'
One senior figure told Sky News that while a post-budget leadership challenge is currently seen as unlikely, the situation could change dramatically if next May's elections – including those in London and Wales – go badly for Labour. The party is facing a pincer movement from Reform on the right and parties like the Greens and Plaid Cymru on the left.
