Starmer Confronts Mounting Pressure Over Labour Think Tank's Journalist Investigation
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing escalating demands to authorise a formal inquiry into a Labour-affiliated think tank's controversial investigation into journalists, as his administration grapples with persistent political turbulence. The calls represent a significant challenge to his leadership, compounding existing difficulties within his premiership.
Foreign Office Minister Advocates for Transparency
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty has publicly stated that it would be "only right" to initiate a thorough probe into Labour Together, the organisation instrumental in Sir Keir's successful campaign to become Labour leader. This intervention intensifies the scrutiny on government minister Josh Simons, who commissioned the contentious 2023 report targeting journalists investigating the think tank's funding sources.
Revelations of the Investigation's Content
The Sunday Times disclosed that findings from an investigation conducted by PR consultancy Apco were informally disseminated among Labour figures in 2024, including current cabinet ministers and special advisers. The report allegedly contained multiple pages of "deeply personal and false claims" concerning journalist Gabriel Pogrund, referencing his Jewish heritage and fabricating details about his personal and professional relationships.
Furthermore, the document reportedly made "baseless claims" suggesting that emails supporting the journalists' story likely originated from a hack of the Electoral Commission, with suspicions pointing toward Kremlin involvement. These allegations have raised serious ethical and legal questions about the think tank's actions.
Political Connections and Responses
Mr Simons, an ally of former Labour Together director Morgan McSweeney—who resigned from Number 10 last week amid the escalating Mandelson scandal—asserted that he requested the removal of sensitive information before forwarding the report to intelligence agency GCHQ. He emphasised that no other British journalists were investigated in any documents he or Labour Together received.
Former Labour chancellor John McDonnell has called for an independent inquiry, stating that as secretary of the National Union of Journalists' parliamentary group, "if true this is unacceptable." Labour MP Karl Turner has urged the prime minister to personally examine the issue and meet with Mr McDonnell to discuss it.
Cross-Party Demands for Accountability
Nadhim Zahawi, the former Conservative chancellor who has since defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, has led demands for Sir Keir to disclose his knowledge of the investigation. He argued, "This is a huge story. If this was any other party, the calls for an investigation would be deafening."
Mr Doughty reinforced this sentiment on Times Radio, stating, "It's only right that if there is an investigation, that's able to run its course, and that we understand what happened. I want to see a country where journalists are able to do their job without fear or favour."
The controversy centres on Labour Together, which reportedly paid £36,000 for the probe, highlighting the financial and political stakes involved. As pressure mounts from within and outside the Labour Party, Sir Keir's response will be crucial in addressing concerns about transparency, media freedom, and ethical governance in British politics.
