DITCH 'TOXIC' AIDE TO END CHAOS

Embattled PM engulfed in rows over winter fuel cuts, freebies and in-fighting is told by allies...

- Jonathan Walker and David Williamson

SIR KEIR Starmer is under pressure to ditch his closest aide to end a turf war raging in No 10.

Allies of the embattled Prime Minister have told him heads must roll if he is to reassert his authority after a string of setbacks.

Top target is his divisive chief-of-staff Sue Gray whose feud with the Cabinet Secretary is at the heart of the turmoil. Her high-handed manner and grip on power has prompted a series of damaging leaks which have dented Sir Keir’s popularity. Ministers are in despair that he is engulfed in rows over freebies and cronyism while 10 million pensioners are set to lose their winter fuel payments.

The infighting has cast a dark shadow over the Labour’s first conference as a party of government in 15 years.

MPs gathering in Liverpool last night were harangued by pensioners furious about cuts to the winter fuel payment.

And there is already talk in Westminster tearooms of who will succeed him as leader.

A senior Labour figure told the Sunday Express: “Only the Prime Minister can end the back-stabbing in his government and that means somebody is going to have to go.

“We could see Baroness Gray take her seat in the Lords before long.”

And one MP said: “It is absolutely toxic.” Ms Gray is said to have angered party whips by attempting to give them orders, and is blamed for driving Sir Keir’s former political director Luke Sullivan out of the Prime Minister’s team.

Mr Sullivan, who was popular with MPs, was blocked from receiving a government role after loyally serving in opposition.

The MP continued: “She is sending the orders down, she is deciding what’s what.

“Whether it’s six weeks or six months, she’s got to go.”

The PM’s approval ratings have hit their lowest ever level, according to pollsters Opinium. Half of those quizzed disapprove of his performance, with just 24 per cent approving – a fall of 13 points in a fortnight.