The minister said the briefing row that erupted this week was “embarrassing for everyone concerned” as pressure grows on Sir Keir Starmer from the back benches.
Sir Keir Starmer has endured a difficult week (Image: Getty)
One of Labour’s top ministers was grilled over Sir Keir Starmer’s future in Number 10 after a humiliating week for the Prime Minister. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood insisted Sir Keir should not consider stepping aside despite turmoil at the top of the Government.
It comes after a series of briefings of journalists regarding Sir Keir’s commitment to staying on as leader, which spectacularly backfired earlier this week. Ms Mahmood said the briefing war which erupted on Tuesday night was “embarrassing for everyone concerned”. It saw allies of the PM insist he was willing to fend off any challenges to his leadership, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting singled out as a possible contender.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the briefing row was “embarrassing” (Image: Getty)
Ms Mahmood replied “no” when she was asked whether Sir Keir needed to reconsider his leadership following the debacle.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, she continued: “Keir Starmer is our Prime Minister. We won an election just under a year and a half or so ago, when people thought that we would not win an election for maybe a generation or more.
“I have no time for these things that people say or brief off the record, or any of this, frankly, Westminster bubble tittle-tattle.”
Ms Mahmood added: “If people have things to say, they should have the courage of their convictions and say so publicly, and that is not what is happening.
“I think what happened at the beginning of this week was, with all of those anonymous briefings, unedifying and deeply embarrassing for everyone concerned.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour are “fighting like rats in a sack”.
Mr Streeting has denied plotting a leadership coup against Sir Keir.
The PM apologised to Mr Street after the briefings and said he has been “assured” they didn’t come from Downing Street, contrary to reports.
It comes as the Government is grappling with its own Labour MPs, who are worried about the approach of ministers to a host of issues, and the party’s current polling.
