UPDATE: PM has "full confidence" in Streeting despite leadership talk

(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer retains "full confidence" in Wes Streeting as Health secretary, even as he looks set to resign in a bid to launch a leadership challenge.

Streeting confronted his boss over the crisis engulfing Labour as the pair met for crunch talks – which lasted less than 20 minutes – in Downing Street ahead of the King's Speech on Wednesday.

He is believed to have told allies he is preparing to quit government on Thursday.

Asked whether the prime minister still has confidence in the Health secretary, his spokesman told reporters: "Yes."

The official declined to "get into the content of internal meetings" when asked for details of what was said, adding: "But the prime minister has full confidence in the Health Secretary."

Pressed on whether Streeting would remain Health secretary for the rest of the week, the spokesman reiterated that Starmer had "full confidence" in him, while describing the prime minister's mood as determined to "deliver the change" people want.

Starmer managed to cling on to power and see off an immediate threat to his leadership in the last few days despite four ministers, some of whom are close to Streeting, resigning and at least 80 MPs demanding he stands down.

The Labour Party has descended into open division over his future, with more than 100 other MPs signing a statement backing Starmer and warning "this is no time for a leadership contest".

Following his meeting with the prime minister, Streeting ignored reporters shouting questions at him as he made his way out of No 10.

Streeting's team failed to deny claims he was poised to quit and the minister posted on X on Wednesday as if business were carrying on as usual, talking up the government's record on the NHS and saying nothing of the turmoil within the party.

By Press Association Political Staff

Press Association: News

source: PA

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