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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Pippa Crerar and Peter Walker

Streeting wrote off his re-election chances in WhatsApp exchanges with Mandelson

Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting had a close friendship with Peter Mandelson that, after the scandal that blew up last week, threatened to be a significant liability to his ambitions. Photograph: James Manning/PA

Wes Streeting predicted he would be “toast” at the next general election, according to private WhatsApp messages exchanged with Peter Mandelson and published by the health secretary in an effort to draw a line under his relationship with the disgraced peer.

In the messages, Streeting said the government lacked a growth strategy and questioned No 10’s communications operation – remarks that appeared to form part of an effort to position himself for a potential leadership contest.

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