Story perspectives

Labour Minister's Campaign Against Journalists Sparks Controversy

2/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Labour minister Josh Simons faces scrutiny for leading a campaign against journalists tied to Sunday Times article on Labour Together's donations.
Emails show Simons named journalists to British intelligence, falsely linking them to pro-Russian propaganda.
He commissioned APCO Worldwide to tie the piece to a hack linked to Russia, without evidence.
Critics, including Paul Holden, call it a McCarthyite smear designed to distract from Labour Together's electoral law violations.

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Story summary

Labour minister Josh Simons faces scrutiny for leading a campaign against journalists tied to Sunday Times article on Labour Together's donations.
Emails show Simons named journalists to British intelligence, falsely linking them to pro-Russian propaganda.
He commissioned APCO Worldwide to tie the piece to a hack linked to Russia, without evidence.
Critics, including Paul Holden, call it a McCarthyite smear designed to distract from Labour Together's electoral law violations.