Health Secretary Publishes Private Messages in Bid to Clear the Air
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has taken the extraordinary step of publishing his private text message exchanges with the disgraced former Labour peer Peter Mandelson, revealing significant internal criticism of Sir Keir Starmer's government. The move comes after days of intense speculation about Streeting's political relationship with Mandelson, who has become a central figure in a crisis threatening Starmer's premiership.
Damning Revelations About Government Policy
In an attempt to address what he called "smears" about his closeness to Mandelson, Streeting provided the messages to Sky News, claiming that "sunlight is the best disinfectant." However, this transparency has exposed deep private disagreements within government ranks. The exchanges reveal Streeting's blunt assessment that the government lacks any coherent economic growth strategy, with Mandelson stating that the administration "doesn't have an economic philosophy which is then followed through in a programme of policies," to which Streeting simply replied: "No growth strategy at all."
Scathing Criticism of Israel Policy
Perhaps more damaging are Streeting's private views on foreign policy. In the messages, he accuses Israel of committing war crimes, describing "the most chilling and distressing scenes of calculated brutality against women and children" as reported by British medics in the region. He goes further to suggest Israel is "a rogue state" whose government "talks the language of ethnic cleansing." Streeting has since apologized to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for these remarks, acknowledging they might cause "embarrassment or discomfort" to cabinet colleagues.
Leadership Crisis and Electoral Fears
The publication of these messages comes as Starmer faces the most serious crisis of his premiership, brought about by his decision to appoint Mandelson as ambassador to the United States despite knowledge of the peer's ongoing relationship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. This controversy has already cost Starmer his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, with communications director Tim Allan resigning on Monday. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has publicly called for Starmer to step down, though Labour MPs have hesitated due to the lack of a clear successor.
In this context, Streeting's decision to publish his communications with Mandelson is being interpreted as a potential move to position himself for a leadership bid. The messages also reveal Streeting's grim electoral assessment, with him telling Mandelson: "I fear we're in big trouble here - and I am toast at the next election." He cites the loss of Labour's safest ward in Redbridge to a Gaza independent candidate as evidence of the party's deteriorating position.
Attempted Damage Control
Streeting has sought to downplay his relationship with Mandelson, telling Sky News that suggestions they were "close friends" constituted a smear campaign by internal critics. He admitted Mandelson had helped him in the past and has deleted social media posts featuring pictures of them together, but insisted: "You would think from some of the things we've read over the weekend that I was having dinner with him every week, sought his advice on everything and anything." Streeting expressed embarrassment at having known Mandelson, claiming he released the messages because of implications that "very embarrassing or damaging messages [were going to] come out."
The health secretary emphasized his commitment to being "a team player" despite the critical nature of his private communications. However, the publication of these messages has exposed significant fractures within the government at a time when Starmer is fighting to maintain his authority. The revelations about economic policy disagreements and stark differences over Israel come as the prime minister pleads with Labour MPs to give him more time to resolve the crisis engulfing his administration.
