Cabinet Office Minister Josh Simons Resigns Following Ethics Investigation
Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has resigned from his position as a Cabinet Office minister. This decision follows an investigation into allegations that a prominent think tank he previously led, Labour Together, paid for a probe into journalists who had written stories about the organisation.
Investigation Clears Simons of Ministerial Code Breach
Although the inquiry conducted by Sir Keir Starmer's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, concluded that Mr Simons had not breached the Ministerial Code, the minister stated he had "become a distraction from this Government's important work". In his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, Simons acknowledged that the terms agreed with PR firm Apco Worldwide were "wider than he had understood" and admitted acting "too hastily in confirming their appointment".
Background of the Controversy
The controversy centred on Labour Together's payment of £36,000 to Apco Worldwide to investigate the backgrounds of journalists from the Guardian and Sunday Times. Initially, Mr Simons claimed Apco was hired to investigate an illegal hack, but Sir Laurie's report noted a "perceived gap between his public statements and what he now accepts appears to be a more extensive scope". While Simons acted in good faith, the situation caused potential reputational damage.
Resignation and Political Reactions
In his resignation, Mr Simons paid tribute to the journalists involved, asserting he "never sought to smear" them. He welcomed being cleared of breaching the Ministerial Code but emphasised the need to avoid ongoing distractions. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accepted the resignation "with sadness", respecting the decision to step aside and expressing a desire to continue working together on government priorities.
Allies of Simons stated he "deeply regrets" the incident and noted that Apco had yet to take responsibility for its actions. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart criticised the Prime Minister for not sacking Simons earlier, calling for a "full investigation" into Labour Together.
Labour Together's Response and Future
Alison Phillips, the current chief executive of Labour Together who took over in 2025, condemned the "scope of work" carried out by Apco as "indefensible". She highlighted that the organisation is under new leadership and committed to improving governance, transparency, and integrity, vowing to learn from past mistakes.
This resignation underscores the ongoing scrutiny of political figures and think tanks, highlighting the delicate balance between ethical conduct and government efficiency in Westminster.
