Sir Keir Starmer has said he “never authorised attacks” on cabinet members after his Number 10 team briefed that Wes Streeting was plotting a coup.
The prime minister backed his health secretary, who spent the morning batting off overnight claims – which he said came from Number 10 – that he was planning to oust Sir Keir after the budget and take his place.
But the Labour leader failed to say he had full confidence in his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, when asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Politics latest: Starmer says any attack on cabinet members is unacceptable
He told Prime Minister’s Questions: “Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focused on delivering for the country.
“Let me be clear. I’ve never authorised attacks on cabinet members. I appointed them to that post because they’re the best people to carry out that job.”
Ms Badenoch said she did not hear Sir Keir back Mr McSweeney.
The prime minister’s spokesperson later said he had full confidence in his chief of staff – and claimed the briefing against Mr Streeting came from outside Number 10, in what appears to be a blame game.
