Sir Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure to investigate potential connections between his Government and a think tank embroiled in controversy over alleged surveillance of journalists. Reports indicate that Labour Together, the think tank in question, engaged APCO Worldwide to scrutinize journalists from outlets including The Sunday Times and The Guardian, aiming to uncover their sources following revelations of undisclosed donations exceeding £700,000.
The investigation, reportedly commissioned in 2023, involved a payment of £36,000 to APCO. At that time, the think tank was led by Josh Simons, who is currently serving as a Labour MP for Makerfield and holds the position of Cabinet Office minister. The allegations first surfaced in the Democracy For Sale newsletter, highlighting concerns about transparency in political funding.
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
The Conservative Party has formally urged Anna Turley, chairwoman of the Labour Party, to investigate Simons’ involvement in hiring APCO. The party’s letter emphasized the need for clarity regarding other directors associated with Labour Together, including current Cabinet ministers. They have called for Labour to suspend all interactions with Labour Together until an independent inquiry is conducted into the matter.
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake stated, “The public deserve the full, unredacted facts about this latest scandal to engulf the top of the Labour Party.” He further criticized Labour Together’s actions, suggesting they reflect a troubling disregard for the integrity of the press, a cornerstone of democracy.
The 58-page report produced by APCO allegedly aimed to undermine the credibility of the journalists involved. This scrutiny follows Labour Together’s previous penalties, including a fine of £14,250 imposed by the Electoral Commission in September 2021 for late disclosures of donations totaling £730,000 between 2017 and 2020.
Broader Reactions and Implications
Members from within the Labour Party, including backbencher Clive Lewis, have joined the calls for a thorough investigation. Lewis urged both Labour and the Prime Minister to fully cooperate with an independent inquiry to clarify the actions taken by Labour Together. He emphasized the need to uncover who authorized the investigation and who was aware of its extent.
Former Conservative minister Nadhim Zahawi also commented on the situation, stating, “If this was any other party, the calls for an investigation would be deafening.” He expressed concerns about the internal knowledge of the issue within Labour, questioning whether the Prime Minister was informed.
The leader of the Scottish National Party at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, called for Simons to be dismissed from his ministerial role, citing his central involvement in what has been described as a “creepy spy scandal.” Flynn criticized the Labour Government for failing to address pressing issues such as the escalating cost of living crisis affecting families across the UK.
Both the Labour Party and APCO Worldwide have been approached for comments regarding these serious allegations. As the situation unfolds, the implications for Labour’s leadership and credibility are significant, particularly in the context of ongoing scrutiny from the media and the public.
