Sir Keir Starmer has committed to investigating unauthorized government leaks ahead of the Budget, telling Parliament's Liaison Committee he will "get to the bottom" of information breaches that he described as "intolerable". The Labour leader's pledge comes after a Financial Times story revealed Chancellor Rachel Reeves had dropped plans for an income tax rise, and following separate briefings against Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Starmer stated he had "no reason to think there was a leak from No 10" regarding the specific Budget revelations. However, he emphasized the leak inquiry would go "wherever the evidence takes it" without inhibition. The Prime Minister told MPs any briefing against Cabinet ministers is "completely unacceptable" and has implemented procedures to prevent such unauthorized disclosures.
The leaked information
The Financial Times story disclosed Reeves's abandoned income tax rise plans before the Budget announcement. The Chancellor told MPs this was "absolutely categorical" - "not an authorised briefing" but a leak. Separately, briefings emerged last month suggesting Streeting was plotting to unseat the Prime Minister, which the Health Secretary was forced to deny.
Starmer's investigation approach
Starmer revealed he did not simply accept assurances at face value regarding the source of briefings against Streeting. «I didn't just take everything at face value. I looked at other bits of evidence to assure myself about what I was then saying publicly to the media», he told the committee. Special advisers provided assurances the briefings against Streeting did not originate from Downing Street.
The Labour leader drew on his experience heading the Crown Prosecution Service, where he took similar action against leaks. «There is a leak inquiry. It can go wherever the evidence will take it, and if it comes to a conclusion, I'll act on it», Starmer said.
Prime Minister's response
The Prime Minister emphasized he has been "clear and consistent" with staff that briefing against Cabinet ministers is unacceptable. He told the committee he has informed both his staff and Cabinet of this position and put procedures in place to crack down on unauthorized briefings.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
