Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Keir Starmer personally apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over hostile media stories linked to Downing Street.
Major Events
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street official responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rules out any leadership plans, stating his previous experience as leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
- British economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Background
The political turmoil began after reports emerged about negative briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to minimize the matter, the talk between the PM and the health minister according to sources took a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, journalists have been informed. The discussion was concise, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning media interviews, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the briefing has been damaging, no question.
But my message to the party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a significant victory last July, a major chance to change our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, official statistics revealed the British economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial industry particularly impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
