McSweeney must go, ministers tell Starmer

Keir Starmer is coming under intense pressure from a wide range of ministers and MPs to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, after No 10 was accused of an extraordinary briefing operation against the health secretary, Wes Streeting.

- Pippa Crerar Jessica Elgot

Starmer is understood to have told MPs he will not sack McSweeney or respond to demands to ensure there are “consequences” for the briefers.

Astounded Labour MPs and ministers have blamed Starmer’s most senior aide for the fallout from an apparently orchestrated plan to fire a warning shot at putative leadership contenders, including Streeting. The health secretary appeared emboldened by the row - with MPs praising a vigorous media performance and at least one union leaning towards backing him in the event of a vacancy.

The prime minister has also moved to calm relations privately with Streeting, with overtures described by one source as “peace talks”.

After Starmer appeared to dodge a question on whether he had full confidence in his chief of staff at prime minister’s questions, No 10 was forced to clarify its position. "Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focused on delivering for this country," he had replied. But urged directly by Labour MPs at the party's backbench committee yesterday afternoon to sack the briefers, he said he would not.

One MP present said the prime minister had "lost the dressing room".

The Labour chair Anna Turley told ITV last night that there would be an investigation into who had specifically briefed against Streeting and that Starmer would "take action" against the culprit.

One No 10 source said Starmer's anger was still focused on Streeting, despite outwardly praising him.