Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings

Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind party conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging leaked comments coming from Downing Street.

Key Developments

• Ed Miliband states Starmer will fire the Downing Street staffer responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if discovered
• The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader plans, stating his previous time as Labour leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
• UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR hack

Background

The political unrest started after allegations circulated about hostile briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although initial attempts to downplay the incident, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister reportedly took a more serious direction.

The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The discussion was concise, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to remove.

Miliband's Statement

In his early morning media interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on national priorities rather than internal conflicts.

Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, no question.

But my advice to the Labour party today is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.

We were given a major election win last July, a important chance to transform our nation. And we have a serious responsibility.

Economic Update

Meanwhile, government figures revealed the UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial industry especially affected by the recent JLR cyber-attack.

Today's Agenda

• Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly statistics
• Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
• Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the media
• 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its daily lobby briefing
• Today: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey