Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Pressure Over Think Tank 'Spy Scandal'
Sir Keir Starmer is under intense pressure to launch a formal investigation into potential links between his Government and a prominent think tank embroiled in a controversial 'spy scandal'. Labour Together, a think tank with deep connections to the Labour Party, stands accused of hiring a global public relations firm to investigate journalists who were reporting on its campaign funding irregularities.
Allegations of Journalist Surveillance and Source Identification
According to reports, Labour Together allegedly paid APCO Worldwide a sum of £36,000 in 2023 to carry out an investigation targeting reporters from The Sunday Times, The Guardian, and other media outlets. The primary objective of this operation was reportedly to identify the confidential sources behind stories detailing the think tank's failure to declare over £700,000 in donations. This revelation has sparked widespread condemnation and raised serious questions about press freedom and governmental transparency.
Key Figures and Political Connections Under Scrutiny
The think tank was managed by Josh Simons at the time of the alleged investigation. Simons is now the Labour MP for Makerfield and serves as a Cabinet Office minister, placing him at the heart of the current Government. Prior to Simons, Labour Together was run by Morgan McSweeney, who recently resigned as the Prime Minister's chief of staff following his involvement in the contentious appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington DC. These high-level connections have intensified calls for a thorough inquiry.
Conservative Party Demands Immediate Action and Suspension
The Conservative Party has formally written to Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley, urging her to investigate Josh Simons' role in the decision to hire APCO Worldwide. The letter, authored by Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake, also demands an investigation into the roles of other Labour Together directors, who reportedly include "serving Cabinet ministers". Furthermore, the Conservatives have called for the Labour Party to clarify whether it still deems it appropriate for its MPs to accept financial contributions from the think tank.
The Tories have insisted that all engagement with Labour Together be suspended immediately "until all allegations have been independently investigated". Hollinrake stated, "Labour Together's behaviour shows a worrying contempt for the free press, a fundamental foundation of our democracy. With its close and widely known links to the heart of Government, serious questions must be answered about who was aware of these actions."
Widespread Calls for an Independent Inquiry Across Parties
The scandal has triggered demands for an independent investigation from across the political spectrum. Labour backbencher Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, has publicly called for the Prime Minister and the Labour Party to commit to "full co-operation with an independent inquiry to establish the facts: what was commissioned, who authorised it, who knew about it, and how far it went".
Reform UK's Nadhim Zahawi, a former Conservative minister, echoed these sentiments, describing the situation as "a huge story" and questioning, "We need to know who knew about this inside Labour. Did the PM know?"
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn went further, demanding that Prime Minister Starmer sack Minister Josh Simons, whom he described as being "at the centre of this creepy spy scandal". Flynn criticised the Labour Government, stating it is "consumed by chaos and failing to deliver on the issues that matter", such as addressing the cost of living crisis.
Background: Electoral Commission Fine and APCO's Report
This controversy follows previous regulatory action against Labour Together. In September 2021, the think tank was fined £14,250 by the Electoral Commission for the late reporting of donations totalling £730,000 between 2017 and 2020, after it had referred itself to the watchdog.
The Sunday Times reported that APCO's investigation produced a 58-page report. This document allegedly contained details intended to discredit the journalists who had investigated the campaign finance breaches committed by Labour Together, adding another layer of concern regarding the methods employed.
As the pressure mounts, the Labour Party and APCO Worldwide have been approached for comment on these serious allegations. The Prime Minister's office now faces a critical test of its commitment to accountability and transparency amidst this growing political storm.
