"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,"
"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 to speak to each other), but is the sort of thing No 10 briefers say about a meeting to make it sound cordial."
Ed Miliband firmly ruled out seeking Labour leadership, joking that having led the party from 2010 to 2015 had inoculated him against wanting the role. Wes Streeting initially downplayed an anti-Streeting briefing, saying he would tell Starmer: "Why are you bothering with this." When they spoke later, Starmer apologised to Streeting; the brief conversation did not cover Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, who faces pressure to be sacked. The ministers agreed to speak again soon, a line No 10 briefers use to make meetings sound cordial. Ongoing manoeuvrings, including Andy Burnham's actions, have fuelled leadership speculation and paranoia in No 10.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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