Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings

High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside internal tensions after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging briefings linked to Downing Street.

Important Developments

• Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the No 10 staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
• The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader aspirations, saying his previous time as leader was the "most effective protection" against seeking the position again
• British economic growth expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack

Background

The internal controversy began after allegations emerged about critical background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to dismiss the incident, the talk between the PM and the health minister apparently took a more serious direction.

Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to sack.

The Energy Secretary's Response

In his early morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to concentrate on country-wide priorities rather than party conflicts.

Look, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, certainly.

But my call to the Labour members today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the public, not ourselves.

We were given a major mandate last July, a major opportunity to transform our country. And we have a serious obligation.

Economic Update

Meanwhile, government statistics showed the UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.

Today's Schedule

• 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly performance figures
• Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
• Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
• 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its daily media briefing
• Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the UK's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey