No 10 has singled out the Health Secretary to warn off other potential leadership challenges from senior Labour figures including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the reports said. But a spokesman for Mr Streeting said the claims he is willing to challenge Sir Keir “are categorically untrue”. The Prime Minister would fight any challenge to his leadership, the senior figure said, but added launching one would be irresponsible, and insisted Sir Keir was focused on governing. Challengers for the Labour leadership can initiate an election with the support of 20% of the party’s MPs, which currently means 80 nominations would be needed. Labour affiliates, including the trade unions, would be able to vote in the ballot alongside individual members.
