Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Negative Media Leaks

High-ranking Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside internal disputes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative media stories linked to Number 10.

Important Updates

• Ed Miliband states Starmer will fire the No 10 official responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
• The Energy Secretary rules out future leadership ambitions, saying his previous experience as Labour leader was the "best inoculation" against desiring the position again
• UK economic growth increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack

Context

The political unrest erupted after media stories surfaced about hostile background comments from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting Streeting. Although early efforts to downplay the incident, the talk between the PM and the health minister reportedly followed a more serious direction.

The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.

The Energy Secretary's Reaction

In his morning broadcast interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than party divisions.

Look, I think the briefing has been bad, certainly.

But my advice to the party now is clear, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.

We were given a significant mandate last July, a historic chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic duty.

Growth Update

Meanwhile, government figures showed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production sector especially impacted by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.

The Day's Schedule

• Morning: The National Health Service publishes its monthly statistics
• Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
• Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
• 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
• Today: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey