A new dispute erupted between Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Downing Street after Streeting accused the government of briefing against him while he was publicly supporting the Prime Minister. Tensions escalated as Downing Street alleged Streeting had coordinated with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to call for the Prime Minister's resignation amid the Peter Mandelson scandal. Streeting responded by publishing private WhatsApp messages with Mandelson, revealing both criticism of the Prime Minister and Labour's direction, as well as a close relationship with the disgraced peer.

The leaked messages show Streeting expressing concerns about Labour's lack of a growth strategy and his own electoral prospects, as well as candid remarks about international issues. The release of these messages coincides with the government's pending publication of the Mandelson Files, which are under review by the Intelligence and Security Committee. Persistent rumours of Streeting's ambitions to challenge the Prime Minister have fueled further infighting, with ministers urging the Prime Minister to assert control over Streeting.

Streeting has denied coordinating with Sarwar and clarified his association with Mandelson, stating he was not a close friend but did not disavow their relationship. The ongoing row highlights deep divisions within the party as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister from both opposition and internal critics.