Mahmood calls Labour leadership row ‘mortifying’

The home secretary has condemned speculation around the Labour leadership as “deeply mortifying” as allies of Angela Rayner were forced to deny a bid to topple the prime minister, just days after the health secretary had to do the same.

- CAITLIN DOHERTY POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Shabana Mahmood described the past week of Labour infighting, which has dominated the headlines and embroiled the most senior members of the party, as “horribly embarrassing” as she called on ministers to “focus on the job” rather than engage in “tittle tattle”.

As she made her plea, a source close to Ms Rayner hit out at “false” reports claiming that the former deputy prime minister was among those plotting a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.

Shadow minister Chris Philp said Labour party was “fighting like rats in a sack”, while a Labour insider suggested it showed the PM was “a man on borrowed time”.

The turmoil at the top of government follows a tumultuous week in which Wes Streeting was forced to openly deny that he was planning a coup to overthrow Sir Keir. The bitter row broke out on Tuesday after allies of the prime minister insisted he was willing to fight off any challenges to his leadership, with Mr Streeting singled out as a likely challenger.

Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Mahmood referred to the briefings as “tittle tattle”, a phrase also used by Ms Rayner to condemn the row. She said: “I think what happened earlier on this week was horribly embarrassing. It’s deeply mortifying for everybody in the government and I’m pleased that the prime minister has dealt with it.”