Health Secretary Wes Streeting has arrived at 10 Downing Street for crunch talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that lasted less than 20 minutes this morning, as the Prime Minister continues to fend off calls to resign.
Mr Streeting did not speak to reporters on his way in or out of Number 10. The meeting comes amid mounting pressure on Sir Keir, who has faced ministerial resignations and calls from at least 80 MPs to step down.
On Wednesday morning, Labour's affiliated unions pulled their support, stating it is clear that Sir Keir will not lead Labour into the next election. A statement from the TULO group, representing 11 unions including Unite, Unison, and the GMB, said: "It's clear that the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader."
Cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told broadcasters that Monday had been "turbulent" for the Prime Minister, but stressed that MPs had not united behind a candidate to trigger a leadership contest. He insisted the meeting between Sir Keir and Mr Streeting was merely a coffee catch-up, dismissing suggestions of a showdown. "Anyone would think we were talking about the final scene at a Casino Royale or something," he joked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Mr Streeting is widely seen as one of Sir Keir's key rivals for the Labour leadership, alongside figures such as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, though sources close to Mr Miliband have denied reports he is preparing to run.
Despite the turmoil, Sir Keir has sought to press on, replacing four ministers who quit the Government, including prominent MP Jess Phillips and health minister Zubir Ahmed, an ally of Mr Streeting. Mr Ahmed described the situation as "unsustainable" and called for an "expedient and orderly transition."
UK long-term borrowing costs eased back after reaching a 28-year high on Tuesday, as the Prime Minister continues to defy calls to stand down.
