Wes Streeting insists he is not trying to oust Sir Keir Starmer

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has insisted that he is not - and will not - try to oust Sir Keir Starmer following overnight briefings he would do so.

Asked if he will launch a leadership challenge after the budget on 26 November, Mr Streeting told Sky's Mornings with Ridge and Frost: "No."

He said it is a "totally self-defeating briefing, not least because it's not true".

Politics latest: Streeting attacks No 10 bid to 'kneecap' him

The health secretary also ruled out that he would demand Sir Keir resign in the days after the budget later this month, or after the local elections in May.

Late on Tuesday night, reports that Sir Keir's job might be under immediate threat started to emerge, with Mr Streeting the main name touted about as a potential to replace him.

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Mr Streeting accused allies of the prime minister in Number 10 of briefing against him, not Sir Keir himself.

"I do think that going out and calling your Labour MPs 'feral' is not very helpful," said.

"I do think that trying to kneecap one of your own team when they are out, not just making the case for the government, but actually delivering the change that we promised, I think that is also self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour."

Mr Streeting appeared to get irritated about the accusations, saying "whoever's been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors".

"This is just about the worst attack on a faithful I've seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final," he added.

But he did hint at his feelings on the budget, following Rachel Reeves all but admitting she will break Labour's manifesto pledge to not raise VAT, national insurance or income tax on "working people".

"I do think keeping promises is important," Mr Streeting said.

The health secretary again ruled out demanding Sir Keir's resignation, sarcastically saying he also did not shoot JFK, doesn't know where Lord Lucan is and does not think the US faked the moon landings.

And he flippantly commended those who briefed against him for "at least taking on board the feedback about sexist briefings", in reference to negative stories about Lucy Powell, Bridget Phillipson and Angela Rayner.

"At least they're picking on one of the boys now," he said.

"But the point is these sorts of Westminster bubble process stories, boys getting carried away.

"These are things that distract from our ability to get across the message of the change we're making, the difference we're making on things that voters actually care about."

He admitted he did not back Sir Keir at the Labour leadership election in 2020 "but I did support him from the moment he was elected and I supported him all the way through".

Luke Sullivan, Sir Keir's former policy adviser, told Sky News the prime minister dislikes anonymous briefings against politicians, so the rumours would not have come from him.

(c) Sky News 2025: Wes Streeting insists he is not trying to oust Sir Keir Starmer