Bold claim: The Cabinet Office is reviewing a report that allegedly smeared journalists investigating Labour Together, a think tank closely tied to Keir Starmer. But here’s where it gets controversial: officials say the review isn’t a formal inquiry, even as critics press for one, and the true scope remains unsettled.
Overview of the case
- The Public Relations and Communications Association’s standards committee is examining an Apco Worldwide report about the sourcing, funding, and origins of a November 2023 Sunday Times article on Labour Together.
- The research behind that report was paid for and reviewed by Josh Simons, a former Labour Together director who is now a Labour MP and a Cabinet Office minister.
- Liz Kendall, the science and technology secretary, told BBC Radio 4 that regulators are already looking into the matter and that the Cabinet Office will determine the facts. She clarified that this is not described as a formal inquiry, noting there is an ongoing investigation by the PR industry’s trade association.
What’s at stake
- The controversy centers on whether the Apco report contained or amplified false allegations about journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke of the Sunday Times, and whether those claims were improperly shared with Labour figures in 2024.
- The Sunday Times report suggested that Apco’s director Tom Harper claimed to have examined the story’s origins using documents and discreet inquiries, and that the report alleged the emails underpinning the Times story might have originated from a Kremlin-linked source. It also allegedly included criticism of Pogrund’s Jewish background and personal details, which critics view as inappropriate or defamatory.
Political dynamics
- Labour’s leadership project is historically linked to Labour Together, which Morgan McSweeney once helmed and which has been central to Starmer’s strategy to reshape the party after the Corbyn era.
- The Conservatives have urged an immediate investigation into Simons’ role and other Labour Together directors, including current cabinet ministers.
Simons’s position and response
- Simons states he was surprised that the report extended beyond the contract by including what he considers unnecessary information about Gabriel Pogrund. He says he asked for that material to be removed before forwarding the report to the intelligence agency GCHQ. He also emphasizes that no other journalists were investigated in any documentation he or Labour Together ever received.
Why this matters
- The episode raises questions about the balance between press freedom and political accountability, the ethical boundaries of political research, and how regulators handle potential involvement by government officials in private investigations.
- It also prompts discussion about how close relationships between think tanks, media, and policymakers should be managed to preserve public trust and democratic norms.
Discussion prompts
- To what extent should regulators investigate allegations of misuse or manipulation in research connected to political actors?
- Is it appropriate for a cabinet minister to be associated with or oversee investigations into think-tank activities that touch journalism and public affairs?
- How do we safeguard the independence of journalists when political players are entangled with investigative reports? Do you think the current responses are sufficient, or should there be a formal inquiry with clear boundaries? Share your views in the comments.
