Senior ministers Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting, both named in anonymous briefings as potential challengers to Sir Keir Starmer, are demanding the source be found and sacked. Starmer apologised to Streeting and is reported to be "incandescent" about the episode, which has focused attention on chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and No 10's briefing culture. Miliband warned the party must learn lessons and refocus, while Downing Street says the briefings came "from outside No 10" and that any leaks will be dealt with.
Ministers Demand Sacking After Anonymous Briefings as Pressure Mounts on Starmer's Chief of Staff
Senior ministers Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting, both named in anonymous briefings as potential challengers to Sir Keir Starmer, are demanding the source be found and sacked. Starmer apologised to Streeting and is reported to be "incandescent" about the episode, which has focused attention on chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and No 10's briefing culture. Miliband warned the party must learn lessons and refocus, while Downing Street says the briefings came "from outside No 10" and that any leaks will be dealt with.
01:54 PM, 11/13/2025Politics
Ministers demand source of anonymous briefings be sacked as No 10 comes under scrutiny
Senior cabinet ministers have urged Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss whoever was responsible for anonymous media briefings that suggested the prime minister faced a leadership challenge. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Health Secretary Wes Streeting — both named in the briefings as potential challengers — have called for the source to be identified and removed.
The episode prompted Sir Keir to apologise directly to Mr Streeting, and aides say the prime minister has been "incandescent" about what happened. The row has sharpened scrutiny of No 10's internal culture and intensified pressure on the prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, one of the most senior aides who worked with Starmer in opposition.
"Morgan is a proxy for Keir. They are coming for Morgan because they want to get Keir. This isn't a parliamentary party battle, it's a Labour elite battle," an ally of the prime minister told the BBC.
Both Streeting and Miliband have so far avoided publicly attacking McSweeney; on Wednesday Streeting expressly acknowledged McSweeney's role in Labour's general election victory. Miliband described the last few days as "a bad couple of days," saying the party must learn lessons and refocus. He also ruled out returning as Labour leader, noting he led the party between 2010 and 2015 and that chapter is closed.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of having "lost control of his government... and lost the trust of the British people" and asked whether he still had confidence in McSweeney. Sir Keir replied that he had never authorised attacks on cabinet colleagues, called any such attacks "completely unacceptable," and said his team was focused on delivering for the country. He specifically praised Wes Streeting for "doing a great job."
After PMQs, Downing Street's press secretary told reporters the briefings about Streeting had come "from outside No 10" and said the prime minister had full confidence in McSweeney. The spokesperson would not confirm whether a formal leak inquiry is under way but said leaks would be "dealt with." McSweeney was approached for comment and did not reply.