Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary, reporting a lack of confidence in the Prime Minister.
Streeting's resignation letter begins highlighting his achievements in government, including hitting targets for waiting times and waiting lists, ambulance times, GP recruitment and NHS satisfaction.
Streeting said: "These are all good reasons for me to remain in post, but as you know from our conversation earlier this week, having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so".
Streeting called last week's election results "unprecedented - both in terms of the scale of the defeat and the consequences of that failure" and warned of the "existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom" posed by Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
Streeting praised Starmer for his 2024 election campaign and for keeping the UK out of the war in Iran, but concluded by saying "It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election".
In response, Starmer thanked Streeting for his hard work in government and for what he had achieved as health secretary.
James Murray has since been appointed secretary of state for health and social care. Murray has been MP for Ealing North since 2019 and previously served as chief secretary to the Treasury. From 2016 to 2019 he was Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development from 2016 to 2019, having served as a councillor for a decade.
Meanwhile, speculation is rising over a potential leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer, following Streeting's resignation and a number of MPs calling for the PM to step aside. Also this week, Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister citing a lack of progress. Miatta Fahnbulleh, Alex Davies-Jones and Zubir Ahmed have also resigned as ministers.
MP Josh Simons has resigned his position leaving open his seat of Makersfield near Manchester. This means a by-election will need to be held, potentially contested by Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham.
If there were a leadership contest, it is expected to include Burnham, Streeting and others including former deputy PM Angela Rayner.
