'Categorically Untrue': Streeting Denies He Plans To Challenge Starmer 'Within Weeks'

Wes Streeting has denied that he plans to challenge for the Labour leadership “within weeks”.

The Guardian reported that allies of the health secretary believe he will make his move soon after the Gorton and Denton by-election on February 26.

Labour is locked in a three-way battle with Reform UK and the Greens in the crucial contest.

Elections across the UK on May 7 are also seen as a potential trigger point for a challenge to prime minister Keir Starmer.

One MP told the paper: “We need to act quickly. There is a big risk that we meander and end up in this tepid decline where we all make ourselves feel better but a Reform government becomes inevitable.

“Wes has the numbers, but it will require a steeliness and a determination that most colleagues have not to date shown.”

But posting on X, Streeting said: “The Guardian did not approach me or my team with these claims. Had they done so I would have said this is categorically untrue.”

Streeting’s apparent declaration of loyalty came as Starmer attempted to mount a fightback to save his leadership.

The PM said he “will never walk away” after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on him to resign over Downing Street’s handling of the Peter Mandelson scandal.

That led to another outbreak in hostilities between Streeting and Starmer, with the health secretary accusing the prime minister’s allies of briefing against him.

A spokesperson for Streeting said: “Wes did not ask Anas to do this, he did not co-ordinate with Anas on this.

“Anas is the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, he is his own man, and Wes has the highest respect for him.

“At the same time as Wes was in an interview 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.”