Rumours are swirling over Sir Keir Starmer's future with Angela Rayner tipped as a potential successor. The Prime Minister is facing ongoing questions over his leadership amid Labour's dire poll ratings.
There is intense speculation about the intentions of Ms Rayner, who quit the Cabinet earlier this year in a row over her tax affairs. Sir Keir is said to have offered her the Education Secretary's job or her old Housing Secretary role in an attempt to shore up his position.
Meanwhile, there were reports last week that allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting were urging the Ashton-under-Lyne MP to sign up to a "joint ticket" for the Labour leadership with him.
But a source close to the former Deputy Prime Minister insisted that she will "not be played like a pawn".
They said: "There is no vacancy and there is no pact. Amid all the stirring and silly games, Angela is focused on representing her constituents and ensuring that this Government delivers.
"Angela is made of tough stuff, and she will not be played like a pawn."
A spokesperson for Mr Streeting also described the claims as "completely untrue".
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It comes after the Health Secretary was forced to deny plotting to unseat Sir Keir Starmer last month and criticised a "toxic" culture in Downing Street after anonymous briefings against him.
It was reported that the attacks on Mr Streeting were a ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders, although the Prime Minister has said he was assured they did not emanate from No 10.
Sir Keir Starmer last month dismissed talk of leadership challenges as "wasted" time.
He said: "My message would be very much that every minute that we are not talking about the cost of living, and straining every sinew to ensure that those that need our help in relation to the cost of living and feeling better off, and having a better health service, and feeling safer and more secure in their community, is a minute wasted."
