Labour MP Josh Simons has resigned as a Cabinet Office minister following an investigation into allegations a think tank he led before entering Government commissioned a probe into journalists. Labour Together, considered one of the most influential organisations in the party’s circles, was accused of paying Apco Worldwide £36,000 to investigate journalists who had written stories about its activities.
An investigation by Sir Keir Starmer‘s ethics adviser concluded Mr Simons had not breached the Ministerial Code but the Makerfield MP said he had « become a distraction from this Government’s important work ».
Mr Simons was facing calls to resign and had said Apco was hired to investigate an illegal hack. In a letter to the Prime Minister, ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus said Mr Simons now accepted the terms he agreed with Apco were « wider than he had understood » and he had acted « too hastily in confirming their appointment ».
Sir Laurie said Mr Simons had acted « in good faith » and said the MP acknowledged the « perceived gap between his public statements and what he now accepts appears to be a more extensive scope has been damaging ».
He added: « I see no basis for advising you of any breach of the Ministerial Code by Mr Simons but you will wish to consider, in the light of this distraction and potential reputational damage, whether he continues to hold your confidence as a member of your Government. »
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of using the « conflict in the Middle East » to « sneak out yet another ministerial resignation ».
She described it as « another time he’s lacked the backbone to sack a minister who was obviously in the wrong ». She claimed a « journalist’s Jewish faith » had been used to « call him into question ».
« The ‘think tank’ Labour Together has donated or provided support to over 100 Labour MPs, including many of the Cabinet, » she said. « Their former staff members are in positions of influence across Government, including serving as civil servants. Simons has resigned so it’s clear Labour Together is utterly finished as an organisation. Keir Starmer must tell us immediately if he will now end Labour Together’s links with his Government and return the tainted money they’ve donated. »
The Prime Minister said he accepted « with sadness » the resignation of Mr Simons from his role as a Cabinet Office minister.
« I want to express my thanks for the commitment, focus, and energy you have brought to ministerial office, » he said in his reply to Mr Simons’ letter of resignation.
Sir Keir added: « In accepting your resignation, I also want to place on record that the Independent Adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, found no breach of the Ministerial Code. I am grateful for your full and proactive cooperation throughout his work. I understand that, to avoid any ongoing distraction from delivering the Government’s mission, you have taken the difficult decision to step aside. I respect that decision, and I look forward to continuing to work with you in driving forward the Government’s priorities. »
Apco was instructed to examine the « sourcing, funding and origins » of reporting in 2023 concerning Labour Together’s failure to declare over £700,000 in donations. The think tank was fined £14,250 in September 2021 for late reporting of donations between 2017 and 2020, following a self-referral to the Electoral Commission.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked Mr Simons earlier.
In a post on X, he said: « Labour waited to refer the case to the Independent Adviser to delay judgement until after the by-election (fat lot of good that did). Need full investigation into Labour Together now. »
Allies of Mr Simons say he has done the “responsible thing” to end the “distraction” and that he never sought to smear and investigate reporters. They say he “won’t be quiet on the backbenchers” but will make the case to change the country for the better “passionately”.
Another ally said: “In stepping aside despite being cleared, Josh has shown he’s the type of person to take responsibility and put the long term direction of the Government first. He’ll not give up his energy in driving the party and this country forward.”
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