"Keir Starmer is coming under intense pressure from a wide range of ministers and MPs to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, after No 10 was accused of an extraordinary briefing operation against the health secretary, Wes Streeting. Starmer is understood to have told MPs he will not sack his chief of staff and would not respond to several demands to ensure there were consequences for the briefers."
"Astounded Labour MPs and ministers have blamed Starmer's most senior aide for the fallout from an apparently orchestrated plan to fire a warning shot at putative leadership contenders including Streeting. The health secretary, however, appeared emboldened by the row with MPs praising a vigorous media performance and at least one Labour-backing union leaning towards backing him in the event of a vacancy."
Keir Starmer has refused calls to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, after Downing Street was accused of orchestrating briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Ministers and backbench MPs demanded consequences for the briefers, but Starmer told MPs he would not remove his aide and declined to act on those demands. The health secretary delivered a strong media performance and attracted some union support, appearing emboldened. Starmer made private overtures to Streeting described as peace talks and planned a direct conversation. Downing Street clarified its position after a Prime Minister's Questions exchange, and no resignation or sacking of Streeting was indicated.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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