A CABINET minister has played down reports of a split at the top of government over when to recognise a Palestinian state.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds denied any Cabinet divisions today after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced calls to make the change amid Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is among those calling for recognition “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise.”

And Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government wants to recognise Palestinian statehood “in contribution to a peace process.”

But speaking on Good Morning Britain, Mr Reynolds said: “There’s no split. The whole of the Labour Party, every Labour MP, was elected on a manifesto of recognition of a Palestinian state, and we all want it to happen.

“It is a case of when, not if.

“It’s about how we use this moment, because you can only do it once to have a meaningful breakthrough.”

Earlier, he told Sky News that recognition would happen “if it delivers the breakthrough that we need.”

Sir Keir is expected to chair a Cabinet meeting on the situation later this week.

Britain is currently working with Jordan to airdrop aid into Gaza and evacuate children needing medical care, with military planners deployed for further support.

But the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency has warned such efforts are “a distraction” that fails to address the root causes of deepening starvation and may put civilians at risk.

More than 250 cross-party MPs have signed a letter urging the government to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a UN meeting next week.

Organised by Labour MP Sarah Champion, the letter argues that Britain’s recognition “would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council.”