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High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond party conflicts after PM Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories linked to Number 10.

Key Developments

• Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
• The Energy Secretary dismisses future party leader aspirations, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "strongest vaccine" against wanting the position again
• British economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR hack

Background

The political unrest erupted after reports emerged about negative background comments from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Despite early attempts to minimize the matter, the talk between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a different direction.

Starmer apologised to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.

Miliband's Reaction

In his morning media appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than internal conflicts.

Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.

But my call to the party now is clear, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.

We were given a major election win last summer, a important opportunity to change our nation. And we have a serious duty.

Growth Update

Separately, official figures showed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production sector particularly hit by the recent JLR hack.

Today's Agenda

• Morning: NHS England publishes its latest statistics
• Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting Liverpool
• Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the media
• Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
• Morning: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey