Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks

Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside party disputes after leader Keir Starmer directly said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments linked to Number 10.

Major Events

• Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Streeting if identified
• Miliband rejects future party leader plans, stating his previous time as leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the position again
• UK economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR hack

Situation

The internal controversy erupted after reports circulated about negative briefings from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although early attempts to dismiss the incident, the conversation between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a more serious direction.

Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The exchange was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to sack.

The Energy Secretary's Reaction

In his early morning broadcast interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on national issues rather than party disputes.

Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, without doubt.

But my advice to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not ourselves.

We were given a major election win last summer, a historic chance to transform our country. And we have a serious responsibility.

Economic Update

Separately, government data revealed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production sector especially impacted by the recent JLR security incident.

Today's Agenda

• Morning: NHS England issues its monthly statistics
• Today: The Health Secretary visits Liverpool
• Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
• 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
• Today: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey