There was a very real chance the PM would be out after losing two senior staffers but some well-organised support bought him some time
At about 1.30pm on Monday, Downing Street officials feared the worst.
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, had announced an impromptu press conference at which he was expected to call for Keir Starmer to stand down, and those close to the PM were worried senior ministers would soon follow suit.
What followed was three hours of frenetic activity as a group of about 10 ministers and officials at the top of government hit the phones in a desperate – and ultimately successful – attempt to shore up the prime minister’s position.
It was Downing Street’s first test without Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, whose resignation on Sunday arguably precipitated Monday’s chaotic events. Those who were part of the operation say the new team proved it could thrive even without the man who has been at the prime minister’s side since he became Labour leader.
