In what position does this political infighting leave the UK administration?
"This has not been our finest day since taking office," a top source within the administration acknowledged after mudslinging in various directions, some in public, much more confidentially.
It began with anonymous briefings with reporters, this reporter included, suggesting the Prime Minister would fight any move to challenge his leadership - while claiming cabinet ministers, particularly the Health Secretary, were considering challenges.
Wes Streeting insisted his commitment stood with the Prime Minister while demanding the sources of the leaks to face dismissal, with Starmer stated that negative comments targeting government officials were considered "unjustifiable".
Doubts regarding if the Prime Minister had authorised the first reports to flush out possible rivals - and whether the sources were doing so with his awareness, or endorsement, were introduced to the situation.
Might there be an investigation into leaks? Might there be terminations in what the Health Secretary described as a "poisonous" Number 10 environment?
What were those close to the PM hoping to achieve?
There have been numerous discussions to piece together what actually happened and where all this places the current administration.
Stand important truths at the core to this situation: the leadership faces low approval as is the PM.
These realities are the primary motivation underlying the constant talks being heard regarding what Labour is planning to address it and what it might mean regarding the duration Sir Keir Starmer carries on in Downing Street.
Now considering the aftermath of all that internal conflict.
Damage Control
The prime minister along with the Health Secretary communicated by phone on Wednesday evening to patch things up.
Sources indicate Starmer said sorry to Streeting in their quick discussion and both consented to converse in further detail "soon".
Their discussion excluded Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's top aide - who has turned into a focal point for negative attention from various sources including opposition leader Badenoch publicly to party members both junior and senior confidentially.
Commonly recognized as the strategist of the political success and the strategic thinker behind Sir Keir's quick rise following his transition from previous role, the chief of staff is also among subject to blame when the Downing Street machine is perceived to have stuttered, stumbled or outright failed.
McSweeney isn't commenting to questions, as some call for his dismissal.
Those critical of him maintain that in a Downing Street where he is expected to exercise numerous significant political decisions, responsibility falls to him for the current situation.
Others in the building assert nobody employed there initiated any information about government members, following Streeting's statement whoever was responsible must be fired.
Political Fallout
In No 10, there's implicit acceptance that Wes Streeting conducted a round of pre-arranged interviews recently with grace, confidence and wit - despite being confronted by persistent queries concerning his goals since those briefings concerning him happened recently.
According to certain parliamentarians, he exhibited agility and media savvy they desire the PM shared.
Additionally, observers noted that at least some of the reports that aimed to strengthen Starmer led to a platform for Streeting to say he agreed with of his colleagues who labeled Downing Street as problematic and biased and that the sources of the reports should be sacked.
A complicated scenario.
"I remain loyal" - Wes Streeting denies plan to oppose the PM as PM.
Internal Reactions
The prime minister, it's reported, is furious regarding how these events has unfolded and examining the sequence of events.
What looks to have malfunctioned, according to government sources, involves both volume and emphasis.
Initially, they had, perhaps naively, imagined that the briefings would produce some news, rather than extensive headline news.
The reality proved considerably bigger than they had anticipated.
I'd say any leader allowing such matters become public, through allies, less than 18 months post-election, was certain to be front page major news – exactly as happened, in various publications.
Additionally, on emphasis, officials claim they were surprised by considerable attention concerning Streeting, that was subsequently greatly amplified via numerous discussions planned in advance the other day.
Different sources, certainly, concluded that that was precisely the intention.
Political Impact
These are further period when Labour folk in government mention gaining understanding while parliamentarians numerous are annoyed concerning what appears as an absurd spectacle developing that they have to initially observe subsequently explain.
While preferring not to these actions.
But a government and its leader with anxiety regarding their situation surpasses {than their big majority|their parliamentary advantage|their