Streeting claims Gaza concerns dismissed as Mandelson leaks expose cabinet rift

Former UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated he encountered significant resistance within the government when attempting to raise concerns about the war in Gaza, describing his efforts as hitting a brick wall. His comments follow the disclosure of private WhatsApp exchanges in which former minister Peter Mandelson described Streeting as hysterical and pathetic for his lobbying activities on the issue. The documents were released as part of the government’s compliance with a parliamentary motion regarding Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US.

The leaked messages, shared between Mandelson and Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, detail Mandelson’s negative assessment of Streeting’s conduct in July 2025. In one exchange, Mandelson described receiving a wild long hysterical message from Streeting about Israel and questioned the former health secretary’s maturity. McFadden noted that Streeting had circulated a 22-page dossier to cabinet ministers, containing eyewitness testimony from three doctors, including two surgeons, who worked in Gaza under Israeli bombardment.

The dossier reportedly included graphic images of children with acute malnutrition and amputated limbs, as well as accounts of doctors operating on up to a dozen children a day without analgesics. Mandelson described Streeting’s intervention as pathetic and suggested he was experiencing an early mid-life crisis. He also criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the wider cabinet, describing Downing Street as beleaguered and bereft, and stating that the cabinet lacked verve.

Streeting defended his actions in a statement, citing the sharing of eyewitness testimony from doctors regarding trauma in Gaza. He affirmed his support for both Israel’s right to self-defence and a Palestinian state, noting that he had met survivors of October 7 and visited Israel and the West Bank. He stated that he and other ministers felt their concerns and motives were dismissed, but expressed pride in being part of the government that eventually recognised a Palestinian state, albeit with a delay he deemed too long.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the leaked messages as embarrassing but confirmed their release was necessary to comply with the humble address motion passed in February. He also addressed other comments from McFadden regarding Labour MPs’ focus on taxing to pay benefits, stating it was not his experience of the parliamentary party. McFadden’s messages also reflected on the need for an emphasis on giving people opportunities rather than just benefits, referencing a report by former health secretary Alan Milburn on tackling youth unemployment.