Full Breakdown
Inquiry into Journalistic Investigations of Labour Together Thinktank
2/15/2026, 11:26:50 PM
Background of the Controversy
Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, is under scrutiny following calls from Members of Parliament (MPs) for an inquiry into a report commissioned by Josh Simons, the Cabinet Office minister. This report investigated journalists probing Labour Together, a thinktank associated with Starmer's political ascent. The inquiry has emerged amid allegations that the report made "baseless claims" regarding the journalists involved, particularly concerning their sources and motivations.
Core Event: Investigation into Journalists
In 2023, Simons commissioned a report from APCO Worldwide, a public relations consultancy, to investigate the "sourcing, funding and origins" of a November 2023 Sunday Times article. This article scrutinized Labour Together and its connections to Starmer. The report, which was later shared informally with Labour figures, included allegations against journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke, suggesting that their reporting was influenced by a suspected Kremlin hack of the Electoral Commission. Tom Harper, a senior director at APCO and former Sunday Times employee, reportedly claimed that the emails underpinning the Sunday Times story were likely sourced from Russian state actors.
Official Statements & Responses
Simons expressed surprise at the report's inclusion of unnecessary personal information about Pogrund, stating he had requested its removal before forwarding the report to GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence agency. He emphasized that no other British journalists were investigated in any documents he or Labour Together received. The Public Relations and Communications Association's standards committee has initiated an investigation into APCO's research, a move welcomed by Simons.
Criticism & Opposition
The situation has drawn significant criticism from within the Labour Party. John McDonnell, a veteran Labour MP, has called for an independent inquiry, emphasizing the need for accountability. He has reached out to the Labour Party's general secretary and copied Starmer in his requests. Another MP, Karl Turner, has urged the Prime Minister to personally address the matter and meet with McDonnell to discuss the implications of the report.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Discrepancies exist regarding the nature and extent of the claims made in the APCO report. While some sources describe the allegations as baseless, others highlight the report's informal sharing among Labour officials, raising questions about the integrity of the investigation. The full scope of the report's findings and the motivations behind its commissioning remain unclear, necessitating further inquiry.
What's Next
The ongoing investigation by the Public Relations and Communications Association will likely shed light on the practices employed by APCO Worldwide and the implications for Labour Together. As calls for transparency grow, the Labour Party faces increasing pressure to address the concerns raised by its members regarding journalistic integrity and the influence of political operatives on media narratives.
Verbatim Quotes
“Clear to me as secretary of the NUJ’s parliamentary group if true this is unacceptable.” — John McDonnell, Labour MP
“I was surprised and shocked to read the report extended beyond the contract by including unnecessary information on Gabriel Pogrund.” — Josh Simons, Cabinet Office Minister
“The likeliest culprit is the Russian state, or proxies of the Russian state,” — Tom Harper, Senior Director at APCO Worldwide
