Downing Street Takeover Plot Accusation Targets Streeting as Prime Minister Vows Resistance
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused of coordinating a plot to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following a public call from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar for Sir Keir to quit.
According to a report in the Telegraph, sources claim Mr Streeting and Mr Sarwar discussed the political situation within the Labour Party two days before Mr Sarwar’s intervention. Multiple sources told the newspaper that many blame the health secretary for Mr Sarwar’s move, with one dubbing the alleged plot the “McChicken Coup” in reference to the recent resignation of the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
One source stated: “Everyone from the PM down to the most junior bag carrier knows who was behind the McChicken Coup. And his name rhymes with Les Weeting.” Another claimed the day’s events were “so clearly manipulated and co-ordinated by the Wes Streeting campaign”.
In response, a spokesperson for Wes Streeting issued a firm denial: “He did not ask Anas to do this; he did not coordinate with Anas on this.” The spokesperson added that while Mr Streeting was publicly arguing the Prime Minister deserved a chance to set out his plan, Number 10 was briefing that he had instructed Mr Sarwar to make his statement, calling this “the problem”.
Amid the turmoil, Sir Keir Starmer told a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday evening that he would not step down. “I’m not prepared to walk away from my mandate and my responsibility to my country, or to plunge us into chaos, as others have done,” he said, adding that he had “had my detractors every step along the way”. Attendees described his demeanour as “incredibly determined”.
The Prime Minister’s political survival is under intense pressure following the resignations of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and his director of communications, Tim Allan, within 24 hours of each other. Sir Keir also told MPs he took full responsibility for appointing Lord Peter Mandelson, stating “it was wrong”. Lord Mandelson’s downfall has brought the Prime Minister to the brink of losing his premiership.
In an attempt at damage control, Wes Streeting chose to reveal text messages he exchanged with Lord Mandelson. Those messages, passed to Sky News, revealed that Mr Streeting believed he “is toast at the next election” and contained criticism of the government for having no economic growth strategy and no policy on Israel’s “war crimes”.
For his part, Anas Sarwar confirmed he spoke directly to Mr Starmer before calling for his resignation, stating: “It’s safe to say that he and I disagreed.” He described the decision as “painful”, citing a long-standing close friendship with the Prime Minister, but said he felt compelled to act because “the situation in Downing Street is not good enough” and “there have been too many mistakes”.
As the crisis unfolded, Cabinet ministers were ordered to declare public support for Mr Starmer. At a separate meeting, MPs urged the party to unite behind the Prime Minister’s leadership, rejecting the idea of turning inwards.
Government commits to Epstein document release
In a separate development in the House of Commons, the government reiterated its commitment to publish all remaining files associated with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said the government is “committed to publishing all relevant documents in line with the motion agreed by the House, and is working at pace to do so.”
He stated the government is dedicated to being “transparent as soon as possible and in full compliance with the motion,” adding that the Prime Minister had asked the Cabinet Secretary to liaise with the Intelligence and Security Committee.
The political tension was further illustrated in the Commons when SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart said his constituents wanted a resignation statement from the Prime Minister, arguing the government had promised to end chaos but it was now “through the stratosphere”. In response, Darren Jones accused opposition MPs of wishing for “more chaos in our country”.
