New revelations have surfaced implicating a Labour minister in a scandal involving the surveillance of journalists, intensifying scrutiny on Keir Starmer and his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. The documents in question, reportedly handed to Josh Simons during his tenure as chair of the pro-Starmer thinktank Labour Together, contain sensitive intelligence files that could have serious ramifications for the party’s integrity.
The Allegations Against Josh Simons
According to sources, Josh Simons, currently serving as a minister in the Cabinet Office, received intelligence reports compiled by the PR firm APCO Worldwide. These reports focused on journalists from various outlets, including the Guardian and the Sunday Times, who were investigating financial irregularities related to Labour Together’s funding. This highly confidential material appears to have been used in an attempt to identify the journalists’ sources and assess their reporting.
The revelations come at a precarious moment for Starmer and McSweeney, who have faced mounting pressure to resign, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding Peter Mandelson’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The timing of these disclosures seems designed to further destabilise their leadership.
Labour Together’s Role and Funding Controversies
Labour Together has played a pivotal role in Starmer’s rise to the party leadership, remaining closely aligned with him even after Simons took over as chair. The thinktank has faced scrutiny since February 2021 when it self-reported late donations of £740,000 to the Electoral Commission, leading to a fine of £14,250. Allegations surfaced in November 2023 that McSweeney had failed to declare these donations, which reportedly financed polling and campaigning activities that bolstered Starmer’s ascent.
McSweeney, who was the chief of staff upon Starmer’s election, distanced himself from the decision to hire APCO, stating it was a matter for Labour Together. However, internal sources suggest he remained heavily involved in the organisation’s strategies, raising questions about his oversight.
Internal Calls for Accountability
In the wake of these revelations, Labour MPs have called for a thorough investigation into the thinktank’s activities, labelling the actions taken against journalists as “shocking.” Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell articulated his concerns in a letter to Labour’s general secretary, Hollie Ridley, stating that if the allegations are accurate, they place the party’s reputation in jeopardy.
MP Kim Johnson echoed these sentiments, describing McSweeney’s leadership as “rotten to the core” and demanding a “clearout” at Downing Street. The implications of these accusations put Starmer’s leadership style—promoted as a return to principled governance—directly at odds with the conduct of his close aides.
Investigative Efforts and the Role of APCO
The APCO reports included investigations into journalists such as Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke from the Sunday Times, alongside others from various media outlets. They aimed to pinpoint the sources behind critical stories regarding Labour Together’s funding. Notably, the firm was paid at least £30,000 for this work, which included assessing social media activity and public statements made by the journalists.
One source described the decision to hire investigators as “bizarre,” indicating that such actions are atypical in political circles. The internal briefings provided to Simons from APCO raised alarms about potential foreign hacking, suggesting a desperate attempt to deflect scrutiny from the thinktank’s operations.
Why it Matters
This unfolding situation poses a significant threat to the Labour Party’s credibility and leadership. As allegations of misconduct and surveillance emerge, the party risks losing the trust of both its members and the public. If Starmer and his aides fail to address these serious claims decisively, it could jeopardise not only their political futures but also the broader integrity of the Labour Party as it seeks to present itself as a credible political alternative. The ramifications of this scandal may extend well beyond the current leadership, potentially impacting future electoral prospects.
