The statement comes after Wes Streeting self-published messages last night in an attempt to distance himself from the scandal
Wes Streeting has been issued a slap down by the Met (Image: Getty)
Wes Streeting has been issued a brutal slap down by the Metropolitan Police after the top cabinet minister published messages between him and Peter Mandelson last night. The Health Secretary and Labour leadership hopeful sent the messages to Sky News and the Guardian, in an apparent attempt to quell accusations he had been particularly close to the disgraced former ambassador.
Mr Streeting’s messages suggested he had only communicated one-to-one with Mandelson half a dozen times since 2024, though they did reveal awkward criticism of Chancellor Rachel Reeves and worries Labour is “toast”. This morning the Met Police warned that self-publishing the messages risks compromising their investigation into whether Mandelson breached laws around standards in public office.
Demanding no other Cabinet Ministers follow suit, a spokesman said: “An investigation into alleged misconduct in public office is under way and it is vital due process is followed, so that our criminal investigation and any potential prosecution is not compromised.”
Wes Streeting with Peter Mandelson (Image: Streeting X)
“As part of our enquiries, we will review material identified and provided to us by the Cabinet Office to assess whether publication is likely to have a detrimental impact on our investigation or any subsequent prosecution.
“We will work alongside the Cabinet Office to review relevant documents over the weeks ahead. The process to decide which documents should ultimately be published remains a matter for government and parliament.
“As we have stated previously, this investigation may be complex but we are focused on a timely and thorough process so that justice is served in this case or future ones linked to the Epstein files.
“We understand and respect the role of parliament in releasing these documents and will support their objective of transparency through our work with the Cabinet Office.”
Last night, the Cabinet Office’s Propriety and Ethics team also contacted ministers, telling them not to publish anything within the scope of the documents set to be released as a result of last week’s Tory motion in parliament.
Streeting was accused of organising a failed coup against the Prime Minister yesterday (Image: Getty)
Last night Mr Streeting was accused of attempting to coordinate a plot to topple the Prime Minister, with Labour insiders claiming the Health Secretary organised Anas Sarwar’s demand for Sir Keir to step down.
One minister characterised Sarwar as “Streeting’s outrider,” while another minister stated: “Wes has absolutely f***ing bottled it.”
A government source labelled it “Wes’s James Purnell moment” – referencing a failed June 2009 Gordon Brown removal attempt.
A Streeting spokesman revealed that while Sarwar spoke, the health secretary was recording an interview expressing Starmer support.
The spokesman stated: “At the same time as Wes was saying that Keir needed a chance to set out his case and his plan, No 10 were briefing that Wes had told Anas Sarwar to make his statement. This is the problem.”
