UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting denies plotting to oust embattled PM Keir Starmer

A senior British cabinet minister has denied that he is plotting against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, describing the rumours from inside No 10 Downing Street as "self-defeating and self-destructive."

Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded to recent media briefings from Starmer allies on Wednesday that he could soon launch a leadership challenge against the prime minister, who has struggled since being elected in July last year.

Close supporters of the British leader had warned that such a move would be "reckless," and would have consequences for the country's economy and international standing.

Starmer, whose centre-left Labour party is trailing far behind the anti-immigration Reform UK in the polls, would fight off any attempt to oust him, the British media was told.

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Streeting, a 42-year-old widely tipped as a future Labour Party leader, said that Starmer should fire those responsible for the briefings.

Streeting described the culture in No 10 as "toxic," saying that some of the people around Starmer "do not follow his model and style of leadership."

"I don't understand how anyone thinks it's helpful to the prime minister…to suggest that he's fighting for his job," Streeting told Sky News.

Other politicians who have been mentioned as potential leaders by the British press include the former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Amid the speculation of a possible leadership challenge, the cost of British government borrowing increased as UK gilts dropped in value.

Since taking office, Starmer has struggled to deliver his flagship promise of economic growth, with figures released on Tuesday showing that unemployment had risen from 4.8% to 5%.

Under party rules, a Labour politician can challenge the current leader if they have the support of at least one in five of their colleagues.

As Labour won a landslide election victory last year, a would-be challenger would currently need the backing of 81 MPs to take on Starmer.