Streeting allies expect leadership challenge against Starmer

Supporters of Wes Streeting expect the health secretary to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership as soon as tomorrow. Streeting met the prime minister in 10 Downing Street this morning for less than 20 minutes, after days of intense speculation that he is preparing a bid to replace him. The prime minister's spokesman said Sir Keir had "full confidence" in Streeting but would not comment on the details of their meeting. The BBC has spoken to two leading supporters of the health secretary who are confident that he will trigger a leadership election on Thursday, as well as others who said they would be disappointed if Streeting backed away from a challenge at this point. A supporter of Streeting said that if the health secretary did not challenge Starmer then "we'll have knifed ourselves for nothing". Under Labour Party rules, Streeting would need the support of 81 MPs in order to force a vote of party members. Sir Keir would automatically be a candidate, without any need to solicit nominations himself. Other candidates would also be able to seek 81 nominations. Responding to a report in The Times that Streeting was preparing to resign from the cabinet and trigger a con