Wes Streeting has denied leading a plot to overthrow the prime minister and called for those briefing against him to be sacked, widening an extraordinary rift at the top of government.
The health secretary condemned “self-defeating” attacks on him coming from Downing Street and said they were indicative of a toxic culture inside No 10.
He rebuked the senior aides behind the anonymous briefings and said they proved that “there are people around the prime minister who do not follow his model and style of leadership”.
Streeting was responding to the Guardian’s report that Downing Street had launched an operation to protect Keir Starmer against a leadership challenge his allies believe could come from the Ilford North MP after the budget or May local elections.
The prime minister’s closest allies said he would fight any “reckless” attempt to oust him, which they warned would affect the markets and the UK’s international relationships. In early trading on Wednesday UK government borrowing costs rose as the price of gilts – UK government bonds – slipped in value amid the speculation over a leadership challenge.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Streeting said the attacks on him showed that “Lucy Powell was right about the culture of No 10 and I would just like to commend the briefer on at least picking on one of the men instead of the women in the cabinet”.
Powell, who was elected Labour’s deputy leader last month, has called for a culture change inside No 10 and said she has been the target of negative briefings from the prime minister’s team. At a dinner reception in October she singled out Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s most senior aide, for criticism.
Streeting said on Wednesday: “I can tell you without having even spoken to the prime minister what he thinks of briefing, what his reaction will be to the front pages and the broadcast bulletins overnight and the words I’m sure he would use are not suitable for a family show.”
Asked whether the prime minister should sack the people responsible, he said: “Yes, but he’s got to find them first and I wouldn’t expect him to spend loads of time on this.”
The health secretary said he was frustrated that the internal row was distracting from the Labour government’s message and its achievements after more than a year in office. “I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the prime minister either to suggest that he’s fighting for his job,” he told Sky News.
“These sorts of Westminster bubble process stories, boys getting carried away, these are the things that distract from our ability to get across the message of the change we’re making, the difference we’re making.”
He likened the “unhelpful” and “self-defeating” briefings to conspiracy theories and told broadcasters: “Whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors – and this is just about the most worst attack on the faithful since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.”
Asked to rule out demanding Starmer’s resignation after the budget, the health secretary told Sky News: “Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK. I don’t know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don’t think they were fake.”
Streeting’s spokesperson was forced to deny suggestions he had the backing of 50 frontbenchers who were willing to quit if the budget landed badly and Starmer did not resign.
One critic within government told several news outlets No 10 had gone into “full bunker mode”.
Cabinet ministers told the Guardian Streeting was just one of several Labour figures who were seen as being “on manoeuvres” for the leadership should a vacancy arise, but that none of them were likely to move against Starmer now.
They interpreted the Downing Street intervention as a “stop Wes” strategy that was designed to warn off any putative rivals for the leadership, who MPs say include Angela Rayner, Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband.
Challengers for the Labour leadership can initiate an election with the support of 20% of the party’s MPs, which means 80 nominations would be needed. Labour affiliates, including trade unions, would be able to vote in the ballot alongside individual members.
