Wes Streeting has been accused of orchestrating a coup against Sir Keir Starmer after claims emerged he talked to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar two days before Mr Sarwar called on the prime minister to resign.
Sources said the pair are thought to have discussed the current political situation in the Labour party, with many blaming the health secretary for Mr Sarwar’s intervention, according to the Telegraph.
Streeting added that he had „never been a shrinking violent (violet) on Israel. He said he had supported the pro-Israel lobbying group, Labour Friends of Israel, „for over 20 years“.
Mandelson responded that „I am worried that such a gesture now could blow a [two-state solution] out of the water“.
Streeting said that „Israel is doing it anyway“, and added: „This is rogue state behaviour. Let them pay the price as pariahs with sanctions applied to the state, not just a few ministers.“
The health secretary said he was sharing the messages with Sky News because of an attempt to „smear“ him over the weekend by suggestions he was „close friends“ with Lord Mandelson.
Mr Streeting has long been seen as on leadership manoeuvres and may otherwise be thought to be a potential beneficiary if Sir Keir were to resign as prime minister.