A minister is being investigated by the Prime Minister’s ethics watchdog in the latest blow to Sir Keir Starmer. Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons is facing allegations that a prominent Labour think tank, which he ran before entering government, paid for a probe into journalists.
Labour Together is accused of paying PR firm Apco Worldwide £36,000 to look into the background of journalists who covered the campaign group’s failure to declare more than £700,000 in donations. Mr Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has faced calls to resign from his ministerial post over the claims.
The issue has been referred to independent adviser on ministerial standards Sir Laurie Magnus, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said.
Mr Jones told the Commons that Sir Keir had asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team to establish the facts regarding Mr Simons’ time at Labour Together. He continued: « That work has now concluded and the facts have been reported to the Prime Minister.
« The Prime Minister has been advised that the matter should be referred now to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, which the Prime Minister has done today.
« This is not a new process, but a continuation of the process the Prime Minister has started, and the Prime Minister will make a judgement when he has received the advice from the independent adviser.
« This will happen very soon, and his advice to the Prime Minister will be made public in the normal way. »
Mr Jones insisted freedom of the press is a « cornerstone of our democracy », and the Government is committed to upholding and protecting that freedom.
But he admitted the Prime Minister could be forced to sack Mr Simons. The Prime Minister will “make a judgment” about Josh Simons’ future once he has received advice from the independent adviser, Mr Jones has said.
Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart said it is « difficult to see » how Mr Simons’ position is tenable following the alleged « attempt to smear » journalists.
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