UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour deputy candidate Lucy Powell accuses Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s team of briefing against her and “throwing mud” in the race.
As reported by Sky News, Lucy Powell accused Bridget Phillipson’s team of spreading negative briefings and ‘throwing mud’ during the Labour deputy leadership contest.
What did Lucy Powell say about alleged briefings by Bridget Phillipson’s team?
Lucy Powell said she never engaged in leaks or briefings during the deputy leadership race.
Referring to the negative media coverage, she stated,
“I think some of these things have also come from my opponent’s team as well. And I think they need calling out.”
Ms Powell said,
“We are two strong women standing in this contest. We’ve both got different things to bring to the job. I’m not going to get into the business of smearing and briefing against Bridget.”
She stated,
“Having us airing our dirty washing, throwing mud – both in this campaign or indeed after this if I get elected as deputy leader – that is not the game that I’m in.”
Ms Powell responded following comments from a “Labour source” to the New Statesman,
“Lucy was sacked from cabinet because she couldn’t be trusted not to brief or leak.”
She told reporters she had spoken “a little” to Bridget Phillipson about the briefing allegations.
Ms Powell was removed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as Commons leader, claiming she could provide a “stronger, more independent voice.”
She said,
“The party is withering on the vine at the same time, and people have got big jobs in government to do.”
The deputy race condenter added,
“Politics is moving really, really fast. Government is very, very slow. And I think having a full-time political deputy leader right now is the political injection we need.”
What did Bridget Phillipson say about Lucy Powell?
Bridget Phillipson denied that her team had briefed against Lucy Powell, saying it was “not to my knowledge.” She claimed she had not spoken directly with Ms Powell about the alleged briefings.
The education secretary said,
“I don’t know if there’s been any discussion between the teams.”
Ms Phillipson stated that Ms Powell’s election could be “destabilising” since she is no longer in the cabinet.
She said,
“I think there is a risk that comes of airing too much disagreement in public at a time when we need to focus on taking the fight to our opponents. I know Lucy would reject that, but I think that is for me a key choice that members are facing.”
The education secretary added,
“It’s about the principle of having that rule outside of government that risks being the problem. I think I’ll be able to get more done in government.”
Last month, Ms Phillipson claimed Number 10 had been briefing against her with sexist intent.
When questioned about “receiving end of sexist briefings”, Ms Phillipson responded,
“Yeah, completely, but you know that’s life. I’ve been underestimated most of my life.”
She said,
“I do slightly have to laugh because there’s this idea swirling around somehow that I’m Number 10’s preferred candidate for all of this.”
The education secretary stated,
“I’m not quite sure that’s what you and many colleagues in the media have been saying in recent months with all of this negativity and nonsense that I’ve faced. So there’s a certain irony I would say in some of the way that this is being approached.”
When asked if Number 10 had spent months briefing against her, she said,
“Well, that’s what lots of people have been writing for months. And so others can come to their own conclusions.”
How will Angela Rayner’s resignation shape the deputy race?
The Labour deputy leadership result will be announced on Saturday, 25 October.
The deputy leader plays a central role, connecting party members with MPs and influencing election campaigns, while holding a mandate independent of Sir Keir Starmer’s authority.
Angela Rayner’s resignation over tax affairs triggered the contest, with David Lammy taking her deputy role in a wider cabinet reshuffle.
Ms Rayner confirmed underpayment of stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat after coming under scrutiny.
She said in a statement,
“When purchasing the property my understanding, on advice from lawyers, was that my circumstances meant I was liable for the standard rate of stamp duty. However, given the recent allegations in the press I have subsequently sought further advice from a leading tax counsel to review that position and to ensure I am fully compliant with all tax provisions.”
Ms Rayner stated,
“I have now been advised that although I did not own any other property at the time of the purchase, the application of complex deeming provisions which relate to my son’s trust gives rise to additional stamp duty liabilities.”
She added,
“I deeply regret the error that has been made. I am committed to resolving this matter fully and providing the transparency that public service demands. It is for that reason I have today referred myself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, and will provide him with my fullest cooperation and access to all the information he requires.”
Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle
After Angela Rayner’s resignation, Sir Keir Starmer made changes in his cabinet. David Lammy became Deputy PM and Justice Secretary, Yvette Cooper moved to Foreign Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood became Home Secretary.
UK Ambassador to the US, Lord Mandelson, also had to resign over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, Ms Rayner’s resignation prompted a deputy leadership race.