Keir Starmer has apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting after briefings suggested No 10 feared a leadership challenge, but the prime minister refuses to sack his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, insisting the leaks 'didn't come from Downing Street'. Starmer gathered senior staff to stress that briefings against cabinet ministers were 'unacceptable' while accepting assurances that No 10 staff were not responsible.
Downing Street launched a probe into the leaking, but Starmer appeared keen to avoid a formal inquiry, warning staff of consequences if they fall below expected standards. The Guardian revealed on Tuesday that allies of the prime minister had expressed concerns that Streeting could launch a coup, prompting calls from Labour MPs for McSweeney's resignation.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested there would be a leak inquiry, but No 10 indicated Starmer had already accepted staff denials. Streeting dismissed the row as 'yesterday's news' and is not pressing for McSweeney to go. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said he believed Starmer 'would get rid of' anyone found briefing against ministers.
Senior Labour sources described McSweeney as 'the great survivor', while one cabinet minister predicted it was 'a question of when, not if' a leadership challenge occurs. Starmer, during a visit to north Wales, reiterated his intention to 'absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers'.
