Sir Keir Starmer faced a very fiery Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday and was grilled over the “toxic culture” in Downing Street.
The Health Secretary Wes Streeting hit out at Downing Street sources over their “self-destructive behaviour.
Starmer condemned the “completely unacceptable” briefings made by Streeting, and the Health Secretary accused No.10 sources of trying to “kneecap” him amid speculation and talk of a coup.
Starmer insisted he has “never” allowed attacks on Cabinet Ministers, he was asked if he has confidence in Morgan McSweeney, his chief of staff.
The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asked Starmer if Streeting is correct that there is a “toxic culture in Downing Street that needs to change.
Starmer said, “My focus each and every day is on rebuilding and renewing our country. But let me be absolutely clear, any attack on any member of my cabinet is completely unacceptable.
He added, “He’s doing a great job, as is the whole of my Cabinet.”
Badenoch said, “Just last night, [Sir Keir’s] allies accused not just the Health Secretary but the Home Secretary and even the Energy Secretary of launching leadership bids.
“These attacks came from No10, nowhere else, his toxic Number 10.
“The person responsible for the culture in Number 10 is his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Does the Prime Minister have full confidence in him?”
Starmer replied, “Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focused on delivering for the country.
“Let me be clear, of course, I’ve never authorised attacks on cabinet members, I appointed them to their post because they’re the best people to carry out their jobs.
Badenoch said, “[Starmer] says these attacks aren’t authorised.
“That means he’s lost control of Number 10, because that’s where they’re coming from.
“The real scandal is that two weeks from a budget, the Government has descended into a civil war, instead of fixing the economy the mess they’ve made of the economy.”
Starmer insisted that he has a “united team,” this was met with a lot of laughter from the opposition, he added, “The Bank of England has upgraded growth today, we’ve secured £230 billion of private investment.
