Labour in Turmoil Over 'Toxic' Downing Street Briefing
Labour has descended into civil war after senior figures blamed Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff for a botched briefing against Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Morgan McSweeney was branded 'toast' by furious MPs who accused Number 10 of manufacturing a leadership crisis that doesn't exist.
The Briefing That Sparked Chaos
The political firestorm began with an extraordinary overnight briefing from a senior Number 10 source claiming that Wes Streeting was planning an 'imminent coup' against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The claims emerged amid growing panic within Labour about Reform UK's lead in the polls.
Mr Streeting angrily dismissed the allegations, urging the Prime Minister to sack those responsible for what he called 'toxic' briefing. In a pointed reference to recent internal party dynamics, the Health Secretary highlighted how Lucy Powell's victory in the deputy leadership contest had vindicated her call for culture change in how the party is managed.
During angry clashes in the Commons, Sir Keir stated that any attacks on members of his Cabinet were 'completely unacceptable' and insisted that briefings against Mr Streeting were not 'authorised'. However, he offered only lukewarm support for his chief of staff when pressed.
McSweeney Under Fire
Multiple Labour MPs pointed the finger directly at Morgan McSweeney, who already faces intense pressure over Labour's dire poll ratings and the government's struggle to deliver on its promise of 'change'. One friend of Mr McSweeney acknowledged he was '100 per cent behind' the briefing, bluntly adding: 'He's toast'.
A senior Labour MP was equally direct, stating: 'McSweeney has to go'. The criticism extended beyond the Labour benches, with Kemi Badenoch naming Mr McSweeney as the 'person responsible for the culture in Number 10'.
Downing Street declined to comment on the source of the briefings, but a veteran aide suggested Number 10 was trying to 'smoke out' Mr Streeting, claiming there are 'at least four leadership campaigns up and running'.
Leadership Speculation Runs Rampant
Labour MPs believe several senior figures are positioning themselves for potential future leadership challenges, including Wes Streeting, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, former deputy PM Angela Rayner and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. However, few believe any have drawn up advanced plans to remove Sir Keir in the coming weeks.
Mr Streeting used colourful language to dismiss the coup claims, telling Sky News: 'No, and I think whoever's been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors.' He added sarcastically: 'Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK. I don't know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar.'
Despite the internal chaos, an ally of Mr McSweeney insisted that briefings of a potential coup had been overwritten, saying Number 10 had been responding to inquiries about a 'generalised leadership challenge' and that personal attacks on Mr Streeting did not emanate from Downing Street.
