UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stands by chief of staff Morgan McSweeney after assurances that no briefings against ministers came from Number 10.
As reported by The Independent, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed full support for chief of staff Morgan McSweeney following assurances that no briefings against ministers came from Downing Street.
The Prime Minister vowed to take action against those responsible for the briefing war at the top of the Labour Government.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting declined to comment on “yesterday’s news” after criticising the “toxic” culture in Number 10 amid claims he planned to unseat Sir Keir.
The Labour leader faces pressure over the Number 10 shake-up but maintains full support for Mr McSweeney.
How did Keir Starmer respond to the ministerial briefing row?
During a visit to North Wales on Thursday, Keir Starmer said,
“First let me be clear that any briefing against ministers is completely unacceptable. That is not a new position for me, it is a position I have adopted ever since I became Prime Minister. I have made it very clear to my team.”
He stated,
“I have been talking to my team today. I have been assured that no briefing against ministers was done from No 10 but I have made it clear that I find it absolutely unacceptable.”
The prime minister added,
“I have been assured it didn’t come from Downing Street but I have been equally clear that whether it is this case or any other, I intend to deal with it.”
When questioned whether he would sack anyone responsible, Mr Starmer responded,
“I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, Cabinet ministers or any other ministers. I have always said that is the standard that I expect, and that is the standard that I will enforce.”
Pressed whether he retained full confidence in his chief of staff, the Labour leader replied,
“Of course I do. I work closely with my whole team. Our focus is on working for the country.”
What did Number 10 say about briefings against Wes Streeting?
Downing Street said Keir Starmer has been assured that no Number 10 staff were involved in briefings against Wes Streeting.
The PM’s spokesperson stated,
“The prime minister has this morning gathered and spoken to his senior team in Downing Street. The prime minister reiterated the briefings against cabinet ministers are completely unacceptable, which has always been his position.”
They said,
“He underlined, as he told parliament yesterday, that he has never and would never sanction any such briefings against colleagues.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson added,
“The PM said he had been assured that no No 10 staff briefed against ministers. The prime minister made abundantly clear the high standards that he expects from staff, and if anyone falls below those standards there will be consequences.”
The meeting reportedly took place via video call, with Mr Starmer in North Wales and staff joining from Downing Street.
When asked if the Prime Minister was covering up, a No 10 spokesperson said, “I don’t accept that,” and confirmed no leak inquiry has been launched.
In response to why Mr Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting despite Number 10 staff not being involved, the spokesperson said the apology was “for the situation Mr Streeting found himself in.”
What did Wes Streeting say about the Number 10 briefing and NHS priorities?
Wes Streeting rejected concerns over the Number 10 briefing, saying he has no idea and doesn’t care who was responsible.
During a visit to Liverpool, he said he no longer wanted to discuss the Downing Street briefing from yesterday.
Mr Streeting stated,
“I have no intention of revisiting yesterday’s events. That’s yesterday’s news and it’s Westminster bubble stuff that doesn’t mean anything to anyone. I don’t think voters give two monkeys about what on earth is going on in the sort of Westminster village soap opera. What they do care about is, if they’re on an NHS waiting list, are we getting them down?”
When questioned whether he had received an apology from the prime minister, the health secretary replied,
“One of the great things about being here in the North West today is you can leave all that silly Westminster soap opera stuff behind.”
On questions about the future of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who faces calls for dismissal over the briefing, Mr Streeting responded,
“I’m sure that Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer and everyone else is absolutely delighted with the news today that NHS waiting lists are falling.”
What did Rachel Reeves say about Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and the Number 10 briefing?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed full confidence in Morgan McSweeney during her visit to North Wales with the Prime Minister.
She said,
“Yes, I do. But the prime minister was really clear that there really is no role for briefing against colleagues and I very much agree with the prime minister.”
When questioned whether the Downing Street briefings accusing Wes Streeting of plotting against the PM should lead to sackings, Ms Reeves replied,
“Well, there I think is going to be a leak inquiry, but at the moment there is no evidence of where that briefing is coming from.”
What did Ed Miliband say about political briefings and Labour leadership?
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said political briefings have long been part of politics, citing former PMs Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
He rejected claims he might challenge Keir Starmer for Labour leadership in the future.
Mr Miliband added,
“I had the best inoculation technique against wanting to be leader of the Labour Party because I was leader of the Labour Party between 2010 and 2015.”
What did the YouGov poll show about Keir Starmer and Labour seats?
Labour faces unrest at the top as poll ratings fall after Keir Starmer’s July 2024 victory.
A new YouGov survey shows 51% of Britons want Keir Starmer to resign as Labour leader, while 27% want him to stay and 23% are undecided.
Peter Kellner, ex-head of YouGov, said,
“Regarding poll ratings post-Keir, it will depend on whether his successor is able straight away to establish a reputation for being competent and trustworthy. These qualities will matter as much as, and possibly more than, any change in policies.”
A September YouGov MRP model shows Labour would win just 144 seats if a general election were held tomorrow.