PM ‘assured’ anonymous briefings did not come from No 10

Sir Keir Starmer said he was “assured” that anonymous briefings to cabinet ministers earlier this week “did not come from Downing Street”.

He said he had “made it clear” to his team that such activities were “unacceptable” in a bid to draw a line under the debate.

On Wednesday Sir Keir apologized to Wes Streeting after allies told news organizations privately that the health secretary was planning a leadership challenge.

Many Labor MPs are skeptical of the claim that the briefings did not come from No 10, accusing the prime minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, of overseeing Downing Street’s strategy and culture, not the briefing.

Speaking during his visit to North Wales, the prime minister said he had full confidence in McSweeney.

“I have been speaking to my team today. I have been assured from No 10 that there has been no briefing against ministers, but I have made it clear that I find this completely unacceptable.”

He added: “I was assured that it wasn’t coming from Downing Street, but I was equally clear that I intended to deal with it, whether it was this or another case.”

Asked whether he would sack those responsible, Sir Keir said: “I will certainly deal with anyone responsible for briefing ministers, cabinet ministers or other ministers.

“I’ve always said that’s the standard I expect and that’s the standard I’ll live up to.”

Asked if he still trusted McSweeney, the Labor leader said: “Of course I do. I work closely with my whole team. Our focus is on working for the country.”

Both Streeting and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the person behind the briefings should be sacked.

On Thursday, Streeting brushed off questions about the controversy, saying it was a “Westminster soap opera thing” and “yesterday’s news”.

Speaking to the BBC, Miliband said they had had a “bad few days”, adding: “We must learn from this episode and say this is not where we should be focusing.”

He said he was sure the Prime Minister would want to find out who the anonymous briefer was and “get rid of them if he can find out”.

“He hates things being leaked and being briefed against his cabinet colleagues.

“People might think, ‘If he hates it, why can’t he stop it?’

“The truth is, sometimes things like this happen. There are sounds coming from outside and you never quite know where they’re coming from.”

Miliband’s name has been discussed by some Labor MPs as a possible rival to the prime minister.

Asked if he would consider returning as Labor leader, he said: “Yes.”

He added: “I had the best inoculation technique against wanting to be leader of the Labor Party, so I was leader of the Labor Party from 2010 to 2015.

“I have the T-shirt, that chapter is closed.”

Sir Keir apologized to Streeting in a brief telephone conversation on Wednesday evening; However, it is said that those who support the health minister are disturbed by the continuation of briefings against him.

Those around the health minister argue that “this type of briefing culture has followed Keir Starmer from opposition into government”.

The number of advisers who were in opposition to Sir Keir and are now still working for him is dwindling.

McSweeney is one of them and the most senior. He has been reached for comment.

An ally of the Prime Minister told the BBC: “Morgan is Keir’s stand-in. They’re coming to Morgan because they want to get Keir. This isn’t a parliamentary party war, it’s a Labor elite war.”

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir had “lost control of his government… and lost the trust of the British people”.

He said McSweeney was responsible for the culture at No 10 and asked if the prime minister still had confidence in him.

Sir Keir responded: “Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focused on delivering for the country.

“Let me be clear, I have never allowed attacks on cabinet members, I appointed them to their positions because they are the people who can do their jobs best.”

He added that “any attack on any member of my cabinet is completely unacceptable” and particularly praised Streeting for doing a “fantastic job”.