Key Highlights
- PM orders ethics investigation into minister Josh Simons over Labour Together claims.
- Labour think tank commissioned APCO Worldwide to investigate journalists’ backgrounds.
- Sims has previously denied the company “went beyond” its mandate.
- Cabinet Office already investigated but Labour MPs call for more independent oversight.
The Ethics Mess That’s Gotten Worse
PM’s ethics investigation into minister Josh Simons over claims he went too far investigating journalists is a classic case of political mudslinging.
You might think this is new, but… it’s not. The story goes back to when Labour Together, the think tank behind Sir Keir Starmer’s election victory, hired APCO Worldwide for some questionable research.
The Background
APCO Worldwide was paid at least £30,000 to “investigate the sourcing, funding and origins” of a Sunday Times story about undeclared donations at Labour Together. Simons has always argued that this was simply an investigation into a suspected illegal hack, but sources say it went way beyond that.
Investigations and Allegations
The report allegedly contained sensitive information on journalists’ beliefs and ideological positions. Simons even said in a contract to the company that he wanted them to look into “unnecessary” details about journalists, which now looks like a big mistake.
Cabinet Office already had an investigation underway but Labour MPs called for more independent oversight. The government’s commitment to protecting freedom of the press is being tested here, as Simons’ actions could seriously undermine public trust in journalism.
Reactions and Calls for Action
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said that while facts were established, more independent scrutiny was needed. Alex Burghart, a Conservative shadow chancellor, called Simons’ position untenable due to the “spurious” allegations in the report.
What’s Next?
Sims is still in hot water as Sir Laurie Magnus investigates his actions while he was a minister. However, this broader investigation could go beyond Simons himself if it finds Labour Together acted improperly too. The writing on the wall is clear: this isn’t just about one man; it’s about the trust between the government and the press.
So, will this become a major political crisis or will we see another case of “it’s all good”? Only time—and more investigations—will tell.
