Sir Keir Starmer has full confidence in Commons leader Lucy Powell despite her controversial comments on the grooming gangs scandal, Downing Street has said.
But the prime minister’s spokesman refused to say whether two other cabinet ministers would still be in post at Christmas, as rumours swirl that Sir Keir could overhaul his top team as soon as next month.
It has been reported by the Sunday Times that the prime minister could be planning to abolish the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, a major move that would leave Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy without a job.
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According to the report, the department, which also oversees tourism and civil society, would be absorbed into others.
There have also been rumours that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson could lose her job in a reshuffle tipped for June.
John Healey, Hilary Benn and Lisa Nandy leave following a cabinet meeting at Downing Street.
Pic: Reuters
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Sir Keir’s spokesperson was asked if Ms Phillipson will still be in post at Christmas.
They didn’t address the question directly, saying: “The prime minister has full confidence in the cabinet to deliver on objectives. We are moving further and faster on plans for change and the entire cabinet is united on this.”
And asked if the culture department will still exist by the end of the year, Number 10 said: “The whole cabinet is focused on our Plan for Change.”
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‘I get it’, PM tells Sky News
But the spokesperson was more definitive on the future of Ms Powell, the leader of the House of Commons.
They said the prime minister has full confidence in the cabinet minister, pointing out that she apologised for her controversial comment on the grooming gangs scandal.
The remark was made by Ms Powell after Conservative political commentator Tim Montgomerie started to ask a question on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions last Friday.
Bridget Phillipson leaves 10 Downing Street.
Pic: PA
“I don’t know if you saw the documentary on Channel 4 about rape gangs,” he started, in relation to the recent programme Groomed: A National Scandal, which centred around five girls who were sexually abused by rape gangs.
Ms Powell, who is MP for Manchester Central, responded: “Oh, we want to blow that little trumpet now, do we? Yeah, OK, let’s get that dog whistle out.”
Sir Keir and the government have been under sustained pressure from political opponents over the handling of historical sex abuse cases in the UK.
The minister later apologised for the comment, but not before the Conservative Party had called for her to resign.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “This shocking outburst from a Labour cabinet minister belittles the thousands of girls and women who were raped by grooming gangs over decades.
“We have consistently called for a national enquiry in parliament, which has been blocked by Labour ministers who don’t seem to know or care about the disgusting crimes which have been perpetrated.
“Anyone who has seen the shocking Channel 4 documentary will know that it is clearer than ever that this is not a ‘dog whistle’.
“To dismiss thousands of victims who were raped and the cover up that followed is sickening. She should resign.”
