63 h. ago Starmer defies calls to sack chief of staff, claiming briefing didn’t come from No 10

PM is standing by chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, despite calls to sack himKeir Starmer has attempted to draw a line under extraordinary briefings by his allies that No 10 feared Wes Streeting could launch a leadership coup, insisting he had been reassured it “didn’t come from Downing Street”.The prime minister gathered his senior staff to stress that briefings against cabinet ministers were “unacceptable” after apologising to Streeting for what had happened on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago Labour leadership live: Starmer denies No 10 aides to blame for attack on Streeting

Concerns around Labour Party leadership deepens ahead of Rachel Reeves’s upcoming Budget

Politics

66 h. ago Starmer can’t afford to sack McSweeney, MPs say as new year coup rumours swirl

The prime minister says he has been ‘assured’ nobody in Downing Street briefed against his health secretary amid claims chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is ‘unsackable’

Politics

67 h. ago Labour leadership live: Starmer’s aides insist none of them briefed against Streeting

Concerns around Labour Party leadership deepens ahead of Rachel Reeves’s upcoming Budget

Politics

68 h. ago Labour leadership live: Starmer warns aides ‘I’ll fire you’ for briefing against ministers amid Streeting saga

Concerns around Labour Party leadership deepens ahead of Rachel Reeves’s upcoming Budget

Events

3 d. ago Labour Traitors War: Starmer will sack No10 briefer who tried to 'kneecap' Streeting, says minister

The Health Secretary has slammed Downing Street sources for ‘self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour’

Politics

3 d. ago The Guardian view on Labour leadership speculation: a symptom of failure to define a governing purpose | Editorial

Downing Street briefings to flush out potential rivals have needlessly damaged the prime minister and raised the stakes around the budgetIt is extraordinary that Labour MPs are contemplating replacing their leader within 18 months of winning a landslide general election victory, a moment supposed to inaugurate years of stability and renewal. It is downright bizarre that the origin of a sudden surge in speculation about Sir Keir Starmer’s future is briefings by loyalists based in Downing Street.The prime minister’s allies must have imagined they were serving his interests by flushing potential rivals – Wes Streeting, the health secretary, being the most prominent – out of the shadows. Forcing someone’s hand before it is ready to strike is a familiar move in the playbook of factional politics.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please cli...

Politics

3 d. ago Streeting hits out at ‘juvenile’ No 10 claims he wants to replace Starmer as Labour leader: Latest

The Prime minister has condemned briefings against health secretary by senior Downing Street aides overnight

Politics

3 d. ago 'I'm not going to add to silly season down south', says Wes Streeting as he appears in Manchester

The Health Secretary was asked about his stated “desire” to be Prime Minister one day amid a Downing Street briefing war

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer backs Streeting and refutes ‘completely unacceptable’ No 10 leaks over ‘coup attempt’: Latest

The Prime minister has condemned briefings against health secretary by senior Downing Street aides overnight

Politics

3 d. ago No 10 says Starmer has confidence in Morgan McSweeney after PM condemns attacks on cabinet members – UK politics live

PM’s spokesperson says he has confidence in his chief of staff after Starmer challenged over ‘toxic culture’ at Downing StreetThe No 10 briefing row is not the only story around this morning. Amy Sedghi is writing a live blog about the ongoing turmoil at the BBC and she has details of Donald Trump saying he has an “obligation” to sue the BBC.In a related development, Reform UK has pulled out of a BBC documentary about the party amid a row over the broadcaster’s editing of the Trump speech. Robyn Vintner has the story. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer says any No 10 briefings against ministers ‘unacceptable’

Starmer defends Wes Streeting at PMQs but dodges question on his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeneyUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has condemned as “completely unacceptable” any briefings against cabinet ministers from inside Downing Street as he tried desperately to close a rift at the top of government.Questioned by Kemi Badenoch at prime minister’s questions, Starmer defended Wes Streeting, the health secretary, who was the apparent target of a pre-emptive No 10 push against a feared imminent leadership challenge against the prime minister. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer says any attack on his cabinet is ‘completely unacceptable’ and adds Streeting is doing a great job – UK politics live

Kemi Badenoch probes Starmer over ‘toxic culture’ at Downing Street The No 10 briefing row is not the only story around this morning. Amy Sedghi is writing a live blog about the ongoing turmoil at the BBC and she has details of Donald Trump saying he has an “obligation” to sue the BBC.In a related development, Reform UK has pulled out of a BBC documentary about the party amid a row over the broadcaster’s editing of the Trump speech. Robyn Vintner has the story. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Starmer allies issue warning to PM’s rivals as fears grow over leadership challenge

Exclusive: No 10 said to be in ‘full bunker mode’ over fears of attempt to oust him after budget or May local electionsThin majorities and chaotic strategy push Labour MPs toward regime changeDowning Street has launched an extraordinary operation to protect Keir Starmer amid fears among the prime minister’s closest allies that he is vulnerable to a leadership challenge in the wake of the budget.Starmer’s most senior political aides warned that any attempt to oust the prime minister over tanking poll ratings would be a “reckless” and “dangerous” move that could destabilise the markets, international relationships and the Labour party. Continue reading...

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