Health Secretary quits PM's top team

Wes Streeting MP has resigned from the Prime Minister's top team saying he has lost confidence in Keir Starmer's leadership.

Until 14 May, Mr Streeting was Health Secretary, meaning he was in charge of the NHS including other things.

He is often spoken about as someone who might challenge Mr Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party and for the job of Prime Minister.

In a letter to the Prime Minister he said that he had "lost confidence" in Keir Starmer's leadership, so it would be "dishonourable and unprincipled" to remain in the job.

In response, Keir Starmer said the Labour Party must "deliver on all of the promises we made to the country".

Since the results of the May local and national elections Mr Starmer has been under pressure from people within his own party.

Some people have said he needs to step down, while others have supported him.

While no-one has directly challenged his leadership in a contest yet, Mr Streeting is among those who political reporters expect to do so.

For his part, Downing Street says Keir Starmer will fight any leadership challenge mounted against him.

In his letter to the PM, Mr Streeting said he feels that some people across the UK are "increasingly losing faith" in the Labour Party and said the government's "unpopularity" was due to some of Mr Starmer's decisions.

He also said he feels Mr Starmer will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election, and that the debate about what comes next needs "the best possible field of candidates".

Replying to his resignation, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "very sorry" Wes Streeting had stepped down, acknowledging last week's "extremely tough" election results.

He also thanked Streeting for his work helping to get Labour elected and as health secretary, praising the NHS's performance under his leadership.