56 h. ago PM’s chief of staff ‘not involved’ in briefing against ministers – reports

Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to sack his top adviser, Morgan McSweeney.

Politics

59 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

61 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

63 h. ago Starmer backs chief of staff after assurances briefing did not come from No 10

The Prime Minister said he would ‘absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers’.

Politics

63 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

64 h. ago Keir Starmer faces another 'sleaze' row as Tories demand urgent probe into 'lobbying' links of PM's communications chief

There are demands for an investigation into Tim Allan, who joined the Prime Minister's team in Downing Street in September, and his ties to Strand Partners.

Politics

67 h. ago Starmer ‘assured’ that Number 10 staff did not brief against ministers

Prime minister not launching a formal inquiry but vows to deal with those responsible

Politics

69 h. 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 Starmer investigates briefing war as pressure on chief of staff grows

The Prime Minister was forced to condemn briefings against his Cabinet after reports about a possible Wes Streeting coup.

Events

3 d. ago Starmer apologises to Streeting for briefing war and launches probe into source

The Prime Minister was forced to condemn briefings against his Cabinet after reports about a possible Wes Streeting coup.

Events

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 Keir Starmer under pressure over future of Morgan McSweeney amid briefing row

Ministers and Labour MPs point finger at PM’s chief of staff over No 10 operation that targeted Wes StreetingUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer is facing intense pressure over the future of Morgan McSweeney after the prime minister’s chief of staff was blamed for No 10’s pushback against a possible leadership challenge.After Starmer dodged a question from Kemi Badenoch at prime minister’s questions about whether he had full confidence in his key aide, Downing Street later clarified that he did. Continue reading...

Events

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 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 Humiliated Starmer admits No10 briefing war against Cabinet minister is 'unacceptable' as he dodges on demands to SACK chief aide Morgan McSweeney

Keir Starmer supporters made clear he will fight any leadership challenge in an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

Politics

3 d. ago Streeting denies plot to oust Starmer and condemns briefings from No 10

Health secretary says attacks on him from Downing Street ‘self-defeating’ after reports PM’s job could be under threatUK politics live – latest updatesWes Streeting has denied leading a plot to overthrow the prime minister and called for those briefing against him to be sacked, widening an extraordinary rift at the top of government. The health secretary condemned the “self-defeating” attacks on him coming from Downing Street and said they were indicative of a toxic culture inside No 10. He rebuked the senior aides who were behind the anonymous briefings and said they proved that “there are people around the prime minister who do not follow his model and style of leadership”. Streeting was responding to the Guardian’s report that Downing Street has launched an operation to protect Keir Starmer against a leadership challenge his allies believe could come from Streeting after the budget or May local elections. The prime minister’s closest allies insisted he would fight any “reckless” ...

Politics

3 d. ago Politics latest: Streeting denies plotting to oust Starmer as fears escalate over Labour leadership challenge

Health secretary’s denial follows flurry of briefings from Number 10 in which allies of prime minister came out fighting on his behalf amid fears his job could be under threat after Budget

Politics

4 d. ago Keir Starmer to face PMQs amid claims of potential challenge to his leadership

The Prime Minister will face MPs after a briefing war emerged on Tuesday night in an attempt to see off supposed challenges to his authority.

Politics