Starmer defies calls to sack chief of staff, claiming briefing didn’t come from No 10

PM stands by Morgan McSweeney and attempts to draw line under row in which leaks suggested Wes Streeting would launch a leadership challenge

Keir Starmer has attempted to draw a line under extraordinary briefings by his allies that No 10 feared Wes Streeting could launch a leadership coup, insisting he had been reassured it “didn’t come from Downing Street”.

The prime minister gathered his senior staff to stress that briefings against cabinet ministers were “unacceptable” after apologising to Streeting for what had happened on Wednesday.