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"This has hardly been our strongest day since the election," a top source within the administration conceded after mudslinging from multiple sides, some in public, plenty more confidentially.

The situation started with unnamed sources to journalists, this reporter included, that Keir Starmer would fight any move to remove him - and that government figures, including Wes Streeting, were planning challenges.

Wes Streeting asserted he was loyal with the Prime Minister while demanding the individuals responsible for the briefings to be sacked, while the Prime Minister stated that all criticism on his ministers were deemed "unjustifiable".

Inquiries concerning whether the PM had authorised the initial leaks to identify likely opponents - and if the individuals responsible were acting knowingly, or approval, were thrown to the situation.

Might there be a leak inquiry? Could there be dismissals in what the Health Secretary described as a "toxic" Number 10 environment?

What did those close to the prime minister trying to gain?

This reporter has been numerous conversations to reconstruct the true events and in what position all this leaves the Labour government.

There are important truths at the core in this matter: the government is unpopular and so is the prime minister.

These realities act as the rocket fuel behind the ongoing conversations I hear regarding what the government is planning regarding this and possible consequences regarding the duration Sir Keir Starmer continues in Downing Street.

Now considering the fallout of all that political fighting.

The Repair Attempt

The PM along with the Health Secretary had a telephone conversation Wednesday night to resolve differences.

Sources indicate Starmer expressed regret to the Health Secretary in the brief call and both consented to talk in further detail "in the near future".

Their discussion excluded Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's top aide - who has emerged as a central figure for blame from various sources including Tory leader Badenoch openly to government officials junior and senior privately.

Commonly recognized as the strategist of the political success and the tactical mind behind Sir Keir's quick rise since switching from previous role, McSweeney also finds himself subject to criticism whenever the Prime Minister's office is perceived to have stuttered, stumbled or outright failed.

McSweeney isn't commenting to requests for comment, while certain voices demand his dismissal.

Those critical of him argue that in government operations where he is expected to exercise numerous significant political decisions, he must accept accountability for the current situation.

Different sources within assert no-one who works there initiated any briefing targeting a minister, post the Health Secretary's comments those accountable must be fired.

Political Fallout

At the Prime Minister's office, there is a tacit acknowledgement that Wes Streeting handled a round of planned discussions recently professionally and effectively - even while facing incessant questions regarding his aspirations as the reports about him came just hours before.

According to certain parliamentarians, he exhibited agility and knack for communication they only wish Starmer shared.

Furthermore, it was evident that at least some of the reports that tried to strengthen Starmer ended up creating a chance for the Health Secretary to say he supported the view of his colleagues who have described the PM's office as problematic and biased and that the sources of the briefings must be fired.

A complicated scenario.

"I'm a faithful" - the Health Secretary denies plan to oppose the PM as Prime Minister.

Internal Reactions

Starmer, I am told, is "incandescent" regarding how all of this has unfolded and is looking into what occurred.

What looks to have malfunctioned, according to government sources, is both quantity and tone.

Initially, they had, perhaps naively, imagined that the leaks would generate some news, but not extensive major coverage.

Ultimately considerably bigger than expected.

This analysis suggests any leader letting this kind of thing be known, through allies, under two years following a major victory, would inevitably become headline top of bulletins stuff – as it turned out to be, across media outlets.

And secondly, on emphasis, they insist they didn't anticipate such extensive discussion regarding the Health Secretary, which was then significantly increased through multiple media appearances he had scheduled on Wednesday morning.

Others, it must be said, determined that that was precisely the goal.

Broader Implications

These are another few days where government officials mention learning experiences and on the backbenches plenty are irritated concerning what appears as a ridiculous situation playing out that they have to first watch and then attempt to defend.

While preferring not to do either.

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