Starmer’s aides insist none of them briefed against Streeting: Latest

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Campbell said he believes that the Labour Party’s strategy “isn’t going very well”.

He said: “The worst thing about recent days is it’s made a relatively new government look like the last lot.

“There are bigger, worse enemies – like Nigel Farage, who if we are not careful [is] going to come in and take over this country and take it to a very dark place.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said he “of course” retains full confidence in his under-pressure chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.

Mr McSweeney has been blamed by some within Labour for the fallout from the attacks on Wes Streeting, which were an apparent ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders.

The Labour Together campaign group was set up by McSweeney, and is credited with toppling Jeremy Corbyn as leader and replacing him with Starmer.

An influential figure in the Labour Party, he is also credited with securing their landslide victory last year.

Sir Keir Starmer has been assured that no No 10 staff have engaged in briefing against Cabinet ministers after he reiterated to them it is “completely unacceptable”, Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “The Prime Minister has this morning gathered and spoken to his senior team in Downing Street. The Prime Minister reiterated the briefings against Cabinet ministers are completely unacceptable, which has always been his position.

“He underlined, as he told Parliament yesterday, that he has never and would never sanction any such briefings against colleagues.

“The PM said he had been assured that no Number 10 staff briefed against ministers. The Prime Minister made abundantly clear the high standards that he expects from staff, and if anyone falls below those standards there will be consequences.”

The meeting is understood to have taken place via a video call while the Prime Minister visits North Wales, with some staff alongside him and others in Downing Street.

No leak inquiry has been launched, No 10 indicated, and when the spokesman was asked whether this meant Sir Keir was attempting to whitewash over the situation, he replied: “I don’t accept that.”

Rachel Reeves insisted there was “no evidence” of where briefing against Cabinet ministers is coming from and suggested there may be a leak inquiry into the matter.

Asked about the briefing war, the chancellor said: “The prime minister was really clear yesterday that there is no place for that sort of briefing and that sort of behaviour, and I absolutely agree with the prime minister.”

Pressed on whether she had confidence in Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, Ms Reeves replied: “Yes, I do. But the prime minister was really clear that there really is no role for briefing against colleagues and I very much agree with the prime minister.”

When asked if the briefings should result in sackings, the chancellor replied: “Well, there I think is going to be a leak inquiry, but at the moment there is no evidence of where that briefing is coming from.”

The Independent’s whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Downing St has said that the PM has full confidence in Tim Allan, after calls for an investigation into his communications chief amid claims of a conflict of interest.

These centre on his shares in a lobbying company and reported discussions on politics with one of its consultants.

The Tories have called for a full Cabinet Office investigation, while the Lib Dems have also demanded a probe.

Labour says the allegation he has done anything to benefit Strand whilst in No 10 is “categorically false” and said any interactions with Tom Baldwin “are in his capacity as a journalist and have not related to Strand, its business or its clients.”

A Strand Partners spokesperson said Mr Baldwin, the PM’s biographer, was a journalist who “does not engage in government relations for Strand and this is not part of his terms of engagement with us.”

It added that Mr Allan sought advice on his interests from the Cabinet Office and followed “every element of the advice received. He receives no financial benefit from Strand and is not involved in our operations.”

Keir Starmer has said he will “absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers” following the bitter briefing war which erupted at the heart of Government.

Speaking from North Wales, the prime minister told reporters: “First, let me be clear that any briefing against ministers is completely unacceptable. That is not a new position for me, it is a position I have adopted ever since I became prime minister. I have made it very clear to my team.

“I have been talking to my team today. I have been assured that no briefing against ministers was done from No 10, but I have made it clear that I find it absolutely unacceptable.”

He added: “I have been assured it didn’t come from Downing Street, but I have been equally clear that whether it is this case or any other, I intend to deal with it.”

Asked if he would sack those responsible, Sir Keir replied: “I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, Cabinet ministers or any other ministers. I have always said that is the standard that I expect, and that is the standard that I will enforce.”

UK economic growth slowed to 0.1 per cent in the last three months, in a blow to the chancellor ahead of the forthcoming Budget.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.1 per cent between July and September, following a 0.3 per cent increase between April and June.

Henry Saker-Clark reports: