Keir Starmer's health secretary reportedly readying to resign after talks with PM

"Wes Streeting has been to Downing Street for crunch talks that lasted less than 20 minutes this morning as the British prime minister continues to fend off calls to resign. The British Health Secretary did not speak to reporters on his way in or out of Number 10. The talks with Mr Streeting, seen as one of the key rivals for the Labour leadership, come after Starmer has so far managed to see off an immediate threat this week despite ministerial resignations and at least 80 MPs calling for him to quit."

"But on Wednesday morning, unions pulled their support, saying it is clear that Starmer will not lead Labour into the next election. Starmer's camp has suggested there is no consensus in Labour about having a leadership contest. Cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told broadcasters Monday had been "turbulent" for the prime minister, but that MPs had not united behind a candidate to trigger a contest, adding "we are moving on"."

"He insisted the two were "having a coffee" and dismissed that it was a showdown over Starmer's leadership. "Anyone would think we were talking about the final scene at a Casino Royale or something, looking at some of the coverage that we've had," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He earlier told BBC Breakfast: "There is no contest for the leadership of the Labour Party.""

Wes Streeting visited Downing Street for crunch talks with Keir Starmer that lasted less than 20 minutes. The Health Secretary did not speak to reporters on arrival or departure. Starmer has avoided an immediate leadership threat this week despite ministerial resignations and at least 80 MPs calling for him to quit. On Wednesday morning, unions withdrew support, saying Starmer will not lead Labour into the next election. Starmer’s camp suggested there is no consensus for a leadership contest. Nick Thomas-Symonds said Monday was turbulent but MPs had not united behind a candidate to trigger a contest, adding that they were moving on. He said there is no leadership contest because the required nomination process has not been triggered.

Read at Irish Independent