Cabinet ministers warn mutinous MPs over ousting Keir Starmer

Labour leadership challenge in wake of disastrous local poll results could unleash chaos in party, MPs warned

Cabinet ministers have warned mutinous Labour MPs that any attempt to oust Keir Starmer after a potentially disastrous set of election results this week would unleash chaos for the party that would not be easily overcome.

However, several told the Guardian that even with the prime minister’s determination to stay in Downing Street after Thursday’s vote, the mood on the backbenches was febrile and events could yet spiral out of control.