Streeting publishes his texts to Mandelson, revealing criticism of Starmer’s government

Wes Streeting has revealed his criticism of Keir Starmer’s government by publishing private messages with former Labor Party member Peter Mandelson.

After days of speculation about his political involvement and friendship with Lord Mandelson, Mr Streeting forwarded his text messages to Sky News in an attempt to clear the air.

But they revealed Mr Streeting believed he would be “fried at the next election” and, as one of Sir Keir’s most senior ministers, berated the government for having no economic growth strategy and policy over Israel’s “war crimes”.

Lord Mandelson’s downfall has left Sir Keir on the brink of losing his premiership and he pleaded with Labor MPs on Monday night to be given more time.

The decision to appoint his disgraced former peer as US ambassador, despite knowing of his friendship with convicted pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, raised questions about Sir Keir’s judgment and integrity.

It has already lost its former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, to the crisis, and communications director Tim Allan also left on Monday.

While Scottish leader Anas Sarwar said Sir Keir should go to a dramatic press conference, Labor MPs hesitated because there was no clear successor.

Mr Streeting, now one of the leading candidates, published his communications with Lord Mandelson in a move that could pave the way for his leadership bid.

He told Sky News that suggesting he was “close friends” with Lord Mandelson was a “slander” by his critics within the party.

He admitted that Lord Mandelson had helped him in the past and deleted social media posts containing photos of the two.

But he added: “From some of what we read over the weekend, you would think I was having dinner with him every week, seeking his advice on everything.”

He claimed there was an implication that there were “very embarrassing or damaging messages.” [were going to] Go outside” and so does sharing them because “sunlight is the best disinfectant”.

Mr Streeting told Sky News he was “ashamed to have known Peter Mandelson”.

He apologized to his cabinet colleagues for some of his messages, saying: “I hope I did not embarrass or offend my cabinet colleagues because I am clearly talking about foreign policy in particular.

“I did [foreign secretary] “Yvette Cooper is aware of what I have said about Palestine, Gaza and the behavior of the Israeli government, and I hope this will not cause difficulties for my colleagues because I have always been a team player.”

Most damning was the economic policy debate with Lord Mandelson on economic policy last year.

Lord Mandelson said: “The government does not have an economic philosophy which is then followed up with a policy programme.”

Mr Streeting replied: “There is no growth strategy.”

He also claimed that Israel committed war crimes.

He sent the following message: “Israel is committing war crimes before our eyes. Their government speaks the language of ethnic cleansing, and I met with our own doctors there who described the most chilling and harrowing scenes of calculated brutality against women and children.”

Mr Streeting also suggested that Israel was a “rogue state”.

It was also revealed that Mr Streeting believed he would lose his seat at the next election.

He texted Mandelson: “I’m afraid we’re in deep trouble – and I’m toast at the next election. We’ve just lost our safest ward in Redbridge (51% Muslim, Ilford S) to a Gaza independent. At this rate I don’t think we’ll be able to keep either of the two Ilford seats.”