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ED Miliband’s protege sent secret Whatsapp messages to Labour rebels working to torpedo Keir Starmer’s welfare reforms, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Net Zero minister Miatta Fahnbulleh was active on key WhatsApp chats used to organise the revolt – posting several messages.
She was even considering resigning to inflict maximum damage on the PM, senior Labour insiders believe.
Ms Fahnbulleh is a former aide to Mr Miliband and he is believed to be working to help her to be party leader one day.
After being elected MP last year, she was immediately handed a plum ministerial job in his energy department.
The bombshell revelations will inevitably spark questions about Red Ed’s loyalty to the PM.
A Labour insider remarked: “It’s remarkable that after only a year, this minister seems more focused on her personal ambitions rather than serving the constituents who elected her and the Labour government.”
Sir Keir had to abandon his strategy to cut £5 billion from the UK’s inflated benefits budget following a surprising rebellion from Labour backbenchers late last month.
Over 120 Labour MPs signed a rebel amendment scuppering the plan – forcing the PM into a humiliating U-turn.
It was an extraordinary challenge to Sir Keir’s leadership just a year after he swooped to power in a landslide victory.
And now The Sun on Sunday can reveal that a Labour minister – Ms Fahnbulleh – was in the thick of the rebel plot.
She was on two separate WhatsApp chats with other Labour MPs used to organise the revolt.
One of them was titled Sunday Lunch Organising, and the other was Buffet Organising – discreet names that revealed nothing about the actual topics being discussed.
The minister sent several texts on the groups, including one which described the government’s welfare plan as a “mess”.
She also allegedly cast doubt over the explanation given by ministers regarding the reforms.
Ms Fahnbulleh was also allegedly spotted having ‘victory drinks’ in Parliament’s famous Terrace bar – overlooking the River Thames – with a gang of Labour welfare rebels on the day the PM was forced to U-turn.
Last night, Ms Fahnbulleh’s office said: “What is implied here is simply untrue. Miatta publicly backed the government and voted for the Universal Credit Bill at every stage.”
They declined to comment further on the Whatsapps.
Ms Fahnbulleh was elected MP for Peckham, in south London – succeeding former Labour Party deputy Harriet Harman.
A high flier, she has previously worked for Mr Miliband when he was Labour leader and ran the New Economics Foundation – a leftwing think-tank.
Last year, Labour bible The New Statesman put her on their ‘Left Power List’ as one of the 50 most influential people in leftwing politics in Britain.
A Labour insider said: “She is close to Ed Miliband and it’s a pretty open secret that she is his pick to be leader one day.”
A spokesman for Mr Miliband said: “These are spurious and nonsense allegations. Ed supported the welfare bill at all stages.”
Who are Labour’s ‘five families’ who could cause trouble for PM Sir Keir Starmer
Labour’s ‘five families’ of rival factions have the potential to cause trouble for Sir Keir Starmer.
Here are the Mafia-style clans vying for power and influence in Britain’s governing party.
In a nod to The Godfather film, we have given each family a horses head rating to show how dangerous they are to the PM.
THE HARD-LEFT: A hardcore of around 25 former die-hard Corbynistas who are in the Socialist Campaign group. They loathe the PM and want higher taxes and spending. Led by John McDonnell inside Labour. Includes Jeremy Corbyn’s new party outside. They can inflict pain on No10, but are limited in number. Head rating: 2/5
THE SOFT LEFT: A large chunk of Labour MPs are in this faction, which led the welfare rebellion. Includes Ed Miliband, Louise Haigh and suspended welfare rebel Rachael Maskell. Group most likely to swing behind Angela Rayner for leader, has strong ties with trade unions and associated with ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham. Horses head rating: 4/5
AMBITIOUS NEWBIES: Starmerites who swept to power in the 2024 landslide election and are being fasttracked to Cabinet. Include new Labour royalty Hamish Falconer and Georgia Gould. They are loyal – but ambitious. Horses head rating: 1/5
THE BLAIRITES: Devotees of Tony Blair and his brand of New Labour politics, they are pro business and back market reforms in the public sector. Includes Wes Streeting and Pat McFadden – both big players in Keir’s government. Horses head rating: 1/5
REDWALLERS / BLUE LABOUR: Straight-talking faction representing Labour’s old industrial heartlands of the North and Midlands. Want tougher immigration policies, a crime crackdown and investment in blue collar jobs. Include Jo White, Jonathan Hinder and Gareth Snell. Impatient for change and not afraid to rebel. Horses head rating: 3/5
