Keir Starmer orders Cabinet Office probe into claims group investigated journalists

Keir Starmer said the Cabinet Office will establish the facts about the probe said to have been carried out by PR firm Apco Worldwide after it was hired by Labour Together

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The Cabinet Office will examine allegations a prominent Labour think-tank paid for an investigation into journalists reporting on its funding, Keir Starmer has said.

The Prime Minister said the department will establish the facts about the probe said to be carried out by PR firm Apco Worldwide after it was hired by Labour Together. Apco was paid £30,000 to carry out the investigation in 2023, when Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons ran the think-tank.

The company was asked to investigate the “sourcing, funding and origins” after stories appeared about the think-tank’s failure to declare more than £700,000 in donations. The report was also said to have looked at the background of one reporter.

Asked about the accusations on Monday, Mr Starmer said: “There will be a Cabinet Office investigation into the allegations, and quite right too.” He added: “I didn’t know anything about this investigation, and it absolutely needs to be looked into, so the Cabinet Office will be establishing the facts.”

Tech Secretary Liz Kendall also described press freedom as “essential”, as she faced questions about the role of minister Mr Simons at Labour Together. Asked whether Mr Simons’ position – as a minister in her department and also the Cabinet Office – was “tenable”, Ms Kendall told the BBC: “He has welcomed the investigation, rightly so, by the regulatory body, the body responsible for regulating public affairs.

“As I said, the Cabinet Office will also be looking into the facts of this case, but it is absolutely essential that we protect the freedom of the press.”

Later the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Mr Starmer had confidence in Mr Simons and described press freedom as a “cornerstone of democracy”. Alison Phillips, who joined Labour Together as CEO last year, said: “The decision to commission this work was taken in late 2023, and Labour Together received the report from APCO in early 2024.”

“APCO’s report claimed that there was circumstantial evidence that sensitive Labour Together information was hacked from the Electoral Commission, and a redacted version of it was subsequently shared with the National Cyber Security Centre. No further action was taken or recommended.

“I joined Labour Together as CEO in November last year to lead and support its vital work to provide policy support and advice to Labour in power, and I am proud of the impactful work the team is carrying out. I am committed to ensuring Labour Together aspires to the highest standards of probity at all times. We stand ready to support the PRCA [and other relevant governance bodies] with its review of this issue.”

In email to staff she also said she was “horrifed that investigators hired by Labour Together would look into the background and sources of reporters even if I am assure that was not the intention”.

An Apco spokesperson told The Mirror :”We are deeply committed to upholding our values and standards as an organisation and treat any suggestion that we have failed to do so very seriously. We are in the process of undertaking a detailed internal review of the project. We are also in discussion with the PRCA, of which we are longstanding members, and will fully support them in their own review of this matter.”

The chief executive of the Society of Editors has said accusations that journalists reporting on Labour Together were investigated for “doing their jobs” is “profoundly troubling”.

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said: “Journalists asking questions about funding, influence or public life are not adversaries to be investigated; they are carrying out a fundamental democratic duty. The idea that reporters could themselves become the subject of intelligence-style inquiries simply for doing their jobs is profoundly troubling and sets a dangerous precedent, regardless of which political party or organisation is involved.”

She added: “Robust journalism will sometimes be uncomfortable for those in positions of power, but scrutiny must never be met with attempts to undermine or intimidate those asking questions. Public confidence in politics and institutions depends on transparency, not retaliation.

“At a time when journalists around the world face growing hostility and risk, the UK must uphold the highest standards at home. A healthy democracy requires challenge, scrutiny and accountability – and that includes protecting journalists from becoming targets themselves.”