Angela Rayner has declined to rule out running for Labour leader in the future, as she condemned the 'arrogant tittle-tattle' and infighting that has dominated the party over the past week. In her first major interview since resigning as deputy prime minister, Rayner said she had 'not gone away' and would be likely to run in a future leadership contest, according to allies.
Rayner, often seen as a potential successor to Keir Starmer, criticised the briefing against Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has been accused of plotting to challenge the prime minister. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, she said such Westminster gossip 'almost looks arrogant' when compared to the real challenges facing ordinary people.
Sources close to Rayner said she was significantly shaken by the impact of her resignation over underpaid stamp duty on her family, and that this would be the key factor in any decision to run. They dismissed suggestions she was plotting an imminent challenge, saying she would only run if Starmer decided to resign of his own accord.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also called the week of leadership speculation 'mortifying' and urged the party to focus on governing. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, she said the prime minister had dealt with the issue and that everyone needed to 'draw a line' and move on.
Mahmood added that it was unlikely anyone would be identified as directly responsible for the briefing, but hoped those responsible would feel 'abject humiliation' and not repeat their actions. She stressed the privilege of being in government and the need to focus on the people who put Labour there.
