Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Move On Following Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour official Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind party conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative media stories originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 source responsible for attacking Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses future party leader plans, saying his past time as Labour leader was the "strongest protection" against wanting the position again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the JLR cyber-attack
Background
The political controversy erupted after media stories surfaced about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to downplay the incident, the conversation between the PM and Streeting apparently followed a more serious direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been advised. The exchange was concise, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to concentrate on country-wide issues rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my advice to the party now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the public, not ourselves.
We were given a major mandate last July, a important opportunity to transform our country. And we have a serious responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, official figures revealed the UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the production industry especially hit by the recent JLR cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its latest data
- Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the Britain's first nuclear power project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
