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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has directed his ethics adviser to probe allegations against minister Josh Simons, following revelations that the think tank he previously led commissioned a report scrutinising journalists. The inquiry arises from concerns over the actions of Labour Together, a group instrumental in Sir Keir Starmer’s ascent to the Labour leadership.
Investigative Background
Labour Together reportedly engaged APCO Worldwide for a fee exceeding £30,000 to “investigate the sourcing, funding and origins” of a Sunday Times article detailing undeclared donations associated with the think tank. This investigation comes on the eve of the 2024 election, raising questions about the appropriateness of such actions.
Simons has previously remarked that APCO Worldwide overstepped its brief by incorporating “unnecessary information” in the report. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer had initiated an inquiry via the Cabinet Office into Simons’ conduct just last week.
However, pressure has mounted from over 20 Labour MPs, who are demanding a “fully independent investigation” due to concerns regarding Simons’ dual role as a minister in the Cabinet Office.
Content of the APCO Report
Sources close to the situation, who have not been named, indicated that the report included sensitive information about journalist Gabriel Pogrund, including his Jewish heritage and alleged biases. The report purportedly suggested that Pogrund’s past work, particularly regarding the royal family, could be perceived as destabilising to the UK and advantageous to Russian geopolitical interests.
The contract with APCO Worldwide, now under scrutiny, explicitly tasked the firm with delving into the origins of the Sunday Times article and assessing journalists Paul Holden and Matt Taibbi, among others.
Responses from Parliament
In Parliament, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones addressed the controversy, stating that the Cabinet Office inquiry had established the relevant facts surrounding the allegations and had reported findings to Starmer. He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom, asserting that journalists must not face intimidation for holding those in power accountable.
Simons defended his actions, claiming that he had engaged APCO Worldwide to investigate a suspected illegal hack, dismissing suggestions that he aimed to target journalists as “nonsense”.
Conservative shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart, has described APCO’s findings as “spurious”, claiming that the report included unfounded allegations of journalists relying on Russian hacking to report on Labour Together’s financial activities. Burghart has argued that the situation reflects a systematic attempt to discredit journalists who reported potential breaches of electoral law.
Calls for Broader Accountability
Labour MPs have welcomed the ethics investigation but have voiced concerns that it should extend beyond the actions of Simons. John McDonnell, a prominent Labour figure, insisted on the necessity of uncovering the full truth surrounding the incident, asserting that the current investigation does not satisfy transparency demands.
In response to these calls, Jones reiterated that the ethics adviser could only investigate conduct while ministers were in office, suggesting broader questions about Labour Together’s activities should be addressed by the think tank’s board. This remark prompted a notable backlash, with McDonnell accusing the inquiry of being a “whitewash”.
Why it Matters
This investigation could have significant implications for the political landscape in the UK, especially as the nation approaches a crucial election cycle. The scrutiny of ministerial conduct, particularly relating to press freedom, underscores the delicate balance between governmental oversight and journalistic independence. As the inquiry unfolds, the results may not only shape public perception of the current government but could also set critical precedents for accountability within political entities and their interactions with the media.
