58 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

60 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

62 h. ago The dreaded Starmer vote of confidence: PM gives his top aide McSweeney fateful backing as he kills probe into brutal Cabinet briefings

Keir Starmer voiced 'confidence' in his senior team after receiving 'assurances' that none of them were involved in the extraordinary pre-emptive strike against Wes Streeting.

Events

62 h. ago Now Keir gives his chief aide the dreaded 'full confidence'... Starmer clings to Morgan McSweeney as he kills off probe into brutal Cabinet briefings

Keir Starmer voiced 'confidence' in his senior team after receiving 'assurances' that none of them were involved in the extraordinary pre-emptive strike against Wes Streeting.

Events

63 h. ago Who is Morgan McSweeney? The chief of staff at risk of sacking

Several ministers and Labour MPs have pointed the finger at Mr McSweeney for singling out Health Secretary Wes Streeting

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64 h. ago Operation Whitewash! Starmer scrambles to shore up chief aide Morgan McSweeney after getting 'assurances' no

Keir Starmer voiced 'confidence' in his senior team after receiving 'assurances' that none of them were involved in the extraordinary pre-emptive strike against Wes Streeting.

Events

67 h. ago Starmer 'will be next' if chief aide Morgan McSweeney is forced out over No10 briefing war

Ministers have insisted the PM will hold an investigation into the apparent pre-emptive strike on leadership manoeuvring by Wes Streeting - and fire whoever was responsible.

Events

67 h. ago Starmer’s shambles in No 10 risks handing power to Farage, Alastair Campbell warns

Tony Blair’s former director of communications intervention comes as the PM comes under pressure to sack his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney

Events

68 h. ago Ed Miliband urges Labour to move on after Starmer apologises to Streeting for hostile briefings from No 10 – UK politics live

Fallout from extraordinary briefing operation against Wes Streeting continues as calls grow for Starmer to sack his chief of staff Morgan McSweeneyGood morning. In an interview around this time yesterday morning, Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said that if Keir Starmer were to ring him about the anti-Streeting briefing by Starmer allies reported by the Guardian and others on Tuesday, Streeting would reply: “Why are you bothering with this.” It was an attempt to play down a new episode of Labour turmoil that has turned out to counter-productive for Starmer, but helpful for Streeting, and by the time the two men did speak last night, the conversation took a different tone.Starmer apologised to Streeting, journalists have been told. The conversation was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack. The pair also agreed they would speak again soon – which doesn’t mean much (they both attend cabinet, and have...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer's last stand? PM clings to chief aide Morgan McSweeney despite Labour demands for sackings over No 10's 'unacceptable' attacks on Cabinet

Just a fortnight before a crucial Budget, Keir Starmer has been plunged deeper into chaos  by an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

Events

3 d. ago Pressure grows on Starmer to sack chief of staff over briefing row

Growing calls for Morgan McSweeney to go after extraordinary briefing operation against Wes StreetingKeir Starmer is coming under intense pressure from a wide range of ministers and MPs to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, after No 10 was accused of an extraordinary briefing operation against the health secretary, Wes Streeting.Starmer is understood to have told MPs he will not sack his chief of staff and would not respond to several demands to ensure there were “consequences” for the briefers. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Starmer's last stand? PM clings to chief aide Morgan McSweeney' despite Labour demands for sackings over No10's 'unacceptable' attacks on Cabinet

Just a fortnight before a crucial Budget, Keir Starmer has been plunged deeper into chaos  by an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

Events

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 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