Keir Starmer could face a fresh General Election if mutinous Labour MPs pull off a coup, allies of the PM have said.

The Mail revealed how “friends of the Prime Minister” had warned that any new leader – like the much-rumoured Wes Streeting – would “need their own mandate’ from the British public.

Labour rules require 20 per cent of the parliamentary party, or 81 MPs, to back a new candidate to launch a formal leadership challenge.

And there are no legal requirements in place for a fresh election in order to confirm a new PM – as seen through Gordon Brown, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

But one source told the newspaper: “In the modern age, you need your own mandate…. The public hate the idea that political parties can stitch up the choice of a new PM without them.

“Anyone thinking of moving against Keir should consider that very carefully.”

Nigel Farage, whose surging Reform UK would likely take home hundreds of MPs if polling was repeated at a GE, said last night: “This is a Government that is all at sea, without a rudder.

“The sooner we have an election, the better it will be for the country. Not that I’m holding my breath.”

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Keir Starmer now says SORRY to Wes Streeting just 24 hours after frenzied No10 ‘briefing war’ broke out

Sir Keir Starmer has said sorry to Wes Streeting just 24 hours after a frenzied “briefing war” broke out at the heart of No10.

The PM is set to investigate the source of the accusations that the Health Secretary was mounting a coup to become Labour leader, party chairwoman Anna Turley said last night.

She added that Sir Keir will “take action” to prevent future attacks taking place.

Mr Streeting had earlier condemned the “toxic culture” inside Downing Street and questioned whether the PM’s long-time ally and chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, should keep his job.

Sir Keir eventually admitted the hostile briefings against his own Health Secretary were “completely unacceptable”, then moved to ease relations with him directly.

According to a No10 source, the PM “briefly” spoke with Mr Streeting directly on Wednesday evening to apologise.

It is understood the pair did not talk about Mr McSweeney – but agreed to talk again soon.

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