Health Secretary Wes Streeting has delivered a spectacular denial of rumours suggesting he is plotting to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer, comparing the speculation to outlandish conspiracy theories.
A Spectacular Denial
In a remarkable interview on Wednesday morning, Streeting categorically ruled out any bid to challenge the Prime Minister, describing the circulating rumours as "unhelpful" and "self-defeating". When Sky News pressed him on whether he would demand Starmer's resignation after the upcoming budget, Streeting responded with theatrical flair: "Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK."
He continued his colourful rebuttal, stating: "I don't know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don't think they were fake."
Nocturnal Briefings and Political Manoeuvres
These comments follow a series of late-night briefings from Number 10, where allies of the Prime Minister came out fighting on his behalf. There appear to be genuine fears within Starmer's camp that his position could be under threat following the budget announcement scheduled for 26 November.
The situation became so intense that a spokesperson for Streeting was forced to deny specific reports claiming the Health Secretary has approximately 50 Labour frontbenchers prepared to resign from the government if the budget proves disastrous.
According to reports from the Guardian and other outlets, these briefings formed part of a strategy to suppress several senior Labour figures allegedly "on manoeuvres" to replace Starmer. Number 10 has apparently singled out Streeting specifically to warn off other potential leadership challenges from senior colleagues, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
Reality Television and Political Reality
On Wednesday, Streeting dismissed the speculation with a contemporary cultural reference, telling Sky News: "I think whoever's been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a faithful I've seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final."
He emphasised the counterproductive nature of the rumours, stating: "It's totally self-defeating briefing, not least because it's not true and I don't understand how anyone thinks it's helpful to the prime minister either."
Meanwhile, a Number 10 insider praised Streeting as a "brilliant health secretary" and insisted the reports were pure speculation. The senior figure confirmed the Prime Minister would fight any leadership challenge, describing such a move as irresponsible, and maintained that Starmer remains focused on governing the country.
However, the political tension appears real, with one critic within government telling several news outlets that Number 10 had gone into "full bunker mode".
Under current Labour party rules, challengers can initiate a leadership election with the support of 20% of the party's MPs, which now translates to 80 nominations required. In such a ballot, Labour affiliates including trade unions would vote alongside individual members.
