WES Streeting yesterday refused to stamp out talk he fancies being PM days after a bitter No10 briefing war blew up.
Allies of Sir Keir Starmer had warned the Prime Minister would crush any leadership bid – and pointed the finger straight at his Health Secretary.
The move backfired, with Mr Streeting blasting a “toxic” and “juvenile” culture swirling around Downing Street.
Sir Keir later rang to apologise, insisting he was “assured” the claims did not come from inside his own No10 operation.
Grilled on LBC, Mr Streeting said the public could trust both Sir Keir and chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, calling the week’s drama a “fever dream”.
On his conversation with Sir Keir, he said: “I’m not telling you anything.
“It’s as nice as usual.
“I think, to be honest, the Prime Minister and I are both in the same boat here at being completely frustrated.
“Because this is a total distraction.
“The season finale of The Traitors is over and it’s time we focused on the news.”
Pressed on whether he wanted the top job “one day”, he simply said: “I’m very happy doing the job that I’m doing, to be honest.”
Mr Streeting stressed he had “of course” full confidence in Mr McSweeney, who some Labour figures had suspected of being responsible for the briefings.
The PM has been warned that failing to carry out recriminations in Downing Street would only further threaten his position — as he attempted to defuse the situation.
