Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned as “completely unacceptable” any briefings against cabinet ministers from inside Downing Street, following reports of a pre-emptive operation targeting Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The controversy has intensified pressure on Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, whom ministers and Labour MPs blame for the pushback against a possible leadership challenge.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer on whether he had full confidence in McSweeney. Starmer gave a non-committal answer, but Downing Street later clarified that he did. The prime minister’s press secretary stated: “He has always been very clear that he will continue to serve as prime minister at the next election.”
Streeting, who has responded with undisguised fury to the briefings, denied any plotting against Starmer and described the attacks as “self-defeating” and indicative of a toxic culture inside No 10. He echoed comments by Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell, who has called for a culture change and singled out McSweeney for criticism.
Starmer praised Streeting’s record as health secretary, saying he is “doing a great job”. He added: “Let me be clear, I have never authorised attacks on cabinet members. I appointed them to their posts because they’re the best people to carry out their jobs.” The prime minister’s press secretary confirmed that any unauthorised briefing against cabinet ministers would be dealt with.
