Dispute Over Anonymous Briefings Involving Keir Starmer and Cabinet Ministers
Anonymous briefings alleged that Keir Starmer would fight leadership challenges and suggested that cabinet ministers, including Wes Streeting, were plotting to replace him.
Starmer asserted his loyalty to the prime minister and called for those behind the briefings to be sacked. The prime minister stated that attacks on ministers were unacceptable.
Questions arose about whether the prime minister authorized or knew about the briefings, leading to talks of a leak inquiry and the potential sacking of Downing Street operatives.
Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, is at the center of the dispute; he has been criticized by both supporters and opponents. However, some claim no one in No 10 was behind the briefings.
Wes Streeting faced scrutiny over his ambitions, handled pre-arranged interviews with composure, and publicly linked the Downing Street operation to a toxic and sexist environment. Some see him as politically nimble.
The prime minister and Streeting spoke by phone to patch things up, with Starmer apologizing. No discussion about McSweeney occurred during the call. The episode was described as a misjudged mix of volume and emphasis that amplified headlines.
