Tories panic over defections as Wes Streeting says he has spoken to more MPs who want to join Labour

Shadow health secretary has told The Independent that many Tory MPs are ‘in despair’

Wes Streeting has spoken to Conservative MPs who are contemplating a defection to the Labour Party because of the “division and incompetence” in Rishi Sunak’s government, he has told The Independent.

But the shadow health secretary insisted that Labour will not take just any Tory MP. Referencing Mr Sunak’s predecessor’s short term in office, he noted: “If Liz Truss were to want to cross the floor, and I don’t imagine she would, I would rather take the lettuce.”

It comes as Tory MPs are panicking over who could be next to walk out of their party as their once mighty majority of 80 continues to dwindle towards 30.