Rayner forced to deny pact with Streeting for Labour leadership

Angela Rayner has been forced to deny claims she has been invited to forma "joint ticket" with Wes Streeting to take over the Labour leadership.

- Nicole Wootton-Cane, The Independent

Angela Rayner

A source close to the former deputy prime minister insisted "there is no vacancy and there is no pact", adding Ms Rayner will "not be played like a pawn".

It comes after there were reports in The Telegraph that allies close to the health secretary were pressing for an alliance between the two Labour MPs, described by sources as "joint ticket" or "unity" pact.

Under the alleged proposal, Ms Rayner could be promised a cabinet role, a possible return to deputy PM or even a lifetime peerage if she backed Streeting in a leadership bid.

A spokesperson for Streeting described the claims as "completely untrue" and said people appeared to be getting "carried away" over his support for the ex-cabinet minister.

Last month, the health secretary was forced to deny plotting to unseat the prime minister in what he called "self-defeating and self-destructive" claims. Streeting then criticised a "toxic" culture in Downing Street after anonymous briefings against him.

It was reported that the attacks on Streeting were a ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders, although the prime minister has said he was assured they did not come from No IO.