Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings

Senior Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond party conflicts after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative briefings coming from the Prime Minister's office.

Important Developments

• Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street source behind for briefing against Streeting if identified
• The Energy Secretary rejects any leadership aspirations, saying his past experience as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against seeking the role again
• UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach

Context

The political turmoil started after allegations surfaced about critical briefings from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting Streeting. Although initial efforts to downplay the matter, the conversation between the PM and Streeting reportedly took a more serious direction.

Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The discussion was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.

Miliband's Reaction

In his early morning media appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide issues rather than internal divisions.

Look, I think the media briefing has been damaging, without doubt.

But my call to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the public, not each other.

We were given a significant victory last summer, a historic chance to change our country. And we have a historic obligation.

Economic News

Meanwhile, government statistics showed the British economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector especially impacted by the recently reported JLR hack.

The Day's Agenda

• 9.30am: NHS England issues its latest data
• Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
• Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
• Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
• Today: The Prime Minister announces plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey