Labour Minister Steps Down Amid Journalism Smear Controversy
A Labour minister who resigned following a journalism smear scandal has declared he was "honest and truthful" but chose to quit because he had become a "distraction" for the government. Josh Simons, who served in the Cabinet Office, faced mounting pressure to step down over a controversy linked to the thinktank he previously managed before entering parliament.
Resignation and Investigation Details
The MP for Makerfield in Wigan officially resigned on February 28, following allegations that the organisation, Labour Together, once commissioned a report examining journalists' backgrounds. Labour Together paid the Washington-based PR firm APCO Worldwide at least £30,000 for this research ahead of the 2024 election. The firm was tasked with investigating the sourcing, funding, and origins of a Sunday Times story about undeclared donations at the thinktank.
In his first full interview since stepping down, given to the BBC, Mr Simons stated, "There's a lot I've learned from it." He has previously asserted that he "never sought to smear" the reporters under investigation. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer initiated an ethics inquiry before Mr Simons announced his resignation from the ministerial role.
Ethics Adviser's Findings and Minister's Response
Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister's ethics adviser, later concluded that Mr Simons had not breached any rules. However, Mr Simons resigned regardless, explaining, "I was being honest and truthful. But it's still the case that I gave the impression that that's what I'd intended, even though it wasn't. And actually, I think it was right for me to take responsibility for that, to say, look, I'm so sorry this happened."
Sir Keir accepted the resignation "with sadness" and thanked Mr Simons for his "commitment, focus, and energy" in ministerial office. In his resignation letter, Mr Simons wrote, "It is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this Government's important work. For that reason, and with sadness and regret, I offer my resignation." He added that he welcomed Sir Laurie Magnus clearing him of breaching the Ministerial Code, emphasising it was important to prove his integrity and truthfulness.
Background of the Controversy
Mr Simons expressed concern when the initial news report emerged, fearing it contained confidential information possibly obtained by hacking the Electoral Commission, the independent body overseeing British elections. He also worried the information might be used to "retell the story" of the antisemitism crisis at Labour Together and "downplay it."
The APCO Worldwide report included points about journalist Gabriel Pogrund's Jewish beliefs and claims about his ideological position. Sources indicated the document asserted Mr Pogrund's previous reporting, including on the Royal Family, could be seen as "destabilising" to Britain and potentially serving Russian foreign policy objectives.
Admissions and Political Reactions
Mr Simons, aged 32, admitted, "I was naive. There are things I would have done differently." He explained that he approached APCO after the article's publication due to their solid international reputation and was informed they could determine if material from the news story was on the dark web and why journalists used it. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Sir Laurie noted that Mr Simons now accepted the terms agreed with APCO were "wider than he had understood" and that he moved "too hastily in confirming their appointment," though he acted in good faith.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the Prime Minister, accusing him of using the conflict in the Middle East to "sneak out yet another ministerial resignation" and lacking the backbone to sack a minister obviously in the wrong. She added, "Josh Simons was in charge of a group that deliberately smeared journalists, even using a journalist's Jewish faith to call him into question. Labour hasn't changed."
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart argued that Sir Keir should have sacked Mr Simons earlier, stating in a social media post, "The Prime Minister should have sacked him last week - it was clear as day that he had done wrong. Labour waited to refer the case to the Independent Adviser to delay judgement until after the by-election. Need full investigation into Labour Together now."
