Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward After Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding

High-ranking Labour figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside internal disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging media stories linked to Number 10.

Key Developments

• Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 source behind for attacking Streeting if discovered
• Miliband dismisses future leadership plans, saying his previous time as Labour leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the position again
• UK economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR security breach

Situation

The internal controversy started after media stories circulated about hostile background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although early efforts to dismiss the situation, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting reportedly took a different turn.

The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The exchange was short, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to dismiss.

Miliband's Response

In his early morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on national issues rather than party divisions.

Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.

But my advice to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not each other.

We were given a historic election win last summer, a important opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a major responsibility.

Economic News

Separately, government data indicated the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.

The Day's Agenda

• Morning: NHS England releases its monthly data
• Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
• Today: The Chancellor speaks to the press
• Late morning: Downing Street conducts its daily lobby briefing
• Today: Keir Starmer highlights government plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey