Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary in a scathing letter saying he has “lost confidence” in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

It is widely expected Mr Streeting will now mount a leadership challenge against the prime minister.

In his resignation letter the former health secretary accused Sir Keir of creating a “vacuum” where the country needed a “vision” and urged him to “listen to your colleagues”.

Sir Keir has vowed to “fight on” despite suggestions of an imminent challenge to his leadership, Downing Street has said.

It comes after Angela Rayner said this morning she has been cleared of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs.

In an interview with The Guardian Ms Rayner did not rule out running in any Labour leadership race but said she would not “trigger” a contest.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also pulled out of his weekly radio slot to “prioritise discussions arising from last week’s local elections,” his spokesperson said.