LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) - British energy minister Ed Miliband has told cabinet ministers he would be prepared to run for the Labour Party leadership if health minister Wes Streeting moved to trigger an imminent contest, the Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The Times said Miliband later denied he was actively planning a leadership bid. Miliband did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from within his own party following a heavy defeat in local elections, with more than 80 lawmakers calling for him to step down.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, Editing by Nick Zieminski)