Josh Simons, formerly a Cabinet Office minister, has resigned from Parliament, a move widely interpreted as facilitating an eventual bid for Number 10 by Andy Burnham. The departure follows significant controversy surrounding a think tank Simons once led, Labour Together==, and its alleged commissioning of a report scrutinizing journalists.
Simons' exit from the House of Commons, occurring on February 28, 2026, followed closely on the heels of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer initiating an ethics investigation into his conduct. The core of the dispute centers on claims that Labour Together paid a public relations firm, APCO, upwards of £36,000 to investigate journalists who had published critical stories about the organization. The nature of the APCO report, which reportedly delved into journalists' backgrounds, including personal details like religious beliefs, has drawn widespread condemnation.
Allies of Simons have offered a defense, suggesting his intention was to probe potential illegal hacks rather than to smear reporters. However, this stance appears at odds with the "reprehensible material" allegedly gathered. Simons himself expressed surprise and anger at the report's scope, describing himself as having been "naive" regarding the extent of the investigation.
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The resignation is seen by some as a strategic maneuver. With Simons out of the picture, the political landscape is perceived as being more amenable for potential leadership challenges, with Andy Burnham now having a clearer, albeit indirect, avenue to contend for the premiership.
Background of Controversy
The controversy ensnared Simons due to his prior leadership of Labour Together, a think tank credited with significant influence in Sir Keir Starmer's ascent to the party leadership. Following the revelations about the APCO report, Labour Together has stated it is making a "clean break" from past practices, instituting an audit committee and a whistleblowing policy. Despite these measures, scrutiny persists, with opposition figures calling for Starmer to sever ties with the organization and return its donations. The think tank’s board has also sought to distance itself from Simons’ 2023 decision to hire APCO, particularly concerning the investigation into reporters examining Labour Together’s undeclared donations.
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