Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding

High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party tensions after PM Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over negative briefings originating from Number 10.

Key Events

• Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street source responsible for briefing against Streeting if identified
• Miliband rules out future leadership plans, saying his past time as leader was the "best inoculation" against wanting the position again
• British economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the JLR cyber-attack

Background

The internal turmoil began after reports surfaced about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to downplay the situation, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister according to sources followed a more serious turn.

The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The exchange was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.

Miliband's Statement

In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party conflicts.

Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been bad, no question.

But my call to the party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not ourselves.

We were given a significant victory last summer, a historic opportunity to transform our nation. And we have a major obligation.

Growth News

In other news, government figures revealed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector especially impacted by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.

Today's Schedule

• 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its latest performance figures
• Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
• Today: The Chancellor speaks to the media
• Late morning: Downing Street holds its regular lobby briefing
• Today: Keir Starmer highlights plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey