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High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside internal conflicts after PM Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile media stories linked to Number 10.

Key Events

• Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will dismiss the No 10 source responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if identified
• The Energy Secretary dismisses future party leader aspirations, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "strongest inoculation" against seeking the position again
• British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR cyber-attack

Background

The political controversy erupted after allegations emerged about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Despite early attempts to minimize the situation, the talk between Starmer and the health minister according to sources took a more serious turn.

The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been told. The exchange was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.

Miliband's Statement

In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to focus on national matters rather than party divisions.

Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, no question.

But my call to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the nation, not our internal matters.

We were given a historic victory last summer, a historic chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.

Growth Update

Meanwhile, government data indicated the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial industry particularly impacted by the recently reported JLR hack.

The Day's Schedule

• Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly data
• Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
• Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
• Late morning: Downing Street conducts its daily lobby briefing
• Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey