🔗 Share this article

Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond party disputes after leader Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative media stories originating from Number 10.

Important Updates

• Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the No 10 official responsible for briefing against Streeting if identified
• Miliband rejects future leadership plans, stating his previous time as leader was the "best vaccine" against wanting the position again
• British economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, affected by the JLR hack

Context

The internal turmoil erupted after media stories surfaced about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to minimize the situation, the conversation between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a different direction.

Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, reporters have been informed. The discussion was short, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to remove.

Miliband's Response

In his morning media interviews, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on national priorities rather than internal divisions.

Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, no question.

But my message to the party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the public, not ourselves.

We were given a historic victory last summer, a important opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a serious responsibility.

Growth News

Meanwhile, official data indicated the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.

Today's Schedule

• Morning: NHS England releases its monthly performance figures
• Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
• Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the journalists
• Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
• Today: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the Britain's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey