PM Asks for Review of Claims About Labour Think Tank Investigating Journalists

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has asked for a review into claims that a Labour-linked think tank hired a company to look into journalists. Reports say the company looked into a journalist's personal life. This raises questions about press freedom.
By Newsroom | Politics, United Kingdom |

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ordered the Cabinet Office to look into claims that a Labour-linked think tank, Labour Together, hired a public affairs firm to investigate journalists. This comes after reports suggested the firm's work included delving into a journalist's personal and religious background. The situation raises questions about press freedom and the actions of groups connected to major political parties.

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Background of the Allegations

Reports indicate that Labour Together, a think tank that played a role in Sir Keir Starmer's ascent to Labour leader, paid the firm APCO Worldwide at least £30,000. This payment was allegedly for a report that examined the "sourcing, funding and origins" of a Sunday Times story concerning undeclared donations to the think tank. Sources suggest the report contained information about Gabriel Pogrund, a journalist with The Sunday Times, including details about his Jewish beliefs and ideological stance.

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Further details suggest APCO Worldwide also produced a memo intended to discredit journalist Paul Holden, who reportedly collaborated on the Sunday Times story. This alleged investigation occurred following media revelations about Labour Together's failure to declare over £700,000 in donations, which led to a penalty from the Electoral Commission.

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Key Figures and Their Roles

  • Labour Together: The think tank at the center of the allegations. It is described as having close ties to senior Labour figures.

  • APCO Worldwide: The US public affairs firm reportedly hired by Labour Together.

  • Sir Keir Starmer: Leader of the Labour Party. He stated he was unaware of the APCO investigation and that it "absolutely needs to be looked into."

  • Josh Simons: Formerly a director at Labour Together and currently a Member of Parliament. He is identified as having commissioned the report in 2023. Simons has reportedly claimed APCO was asked to look into a "suspected illegal hack" unrelated to UK journalists. The report was informally shared with Labour figures in 2024.

  • Morgan McSweeney: A former head of Labour Together. Sources close to him state he did not make the decision to hire APCO, with responsibility lying with Labour Together.

  • John McDonnell: Former shadow chancellor and Labour MP. He has called for an independent inquiry into Labour Together and those connected to it.

  • Gabriel Pogrund: A journalist for The Sunday Times whose personal and religious background was reportedly investigated.

  • Paul Holden: A South African journalist who reportedly collaborated on The Sunday Times story and was the subject of a memo by APCO.

Evidence and Statements

  • Sources told the BBC that APCO's report included information about Gabriel Pogrund's Jewish beliefs and ideological position.

  • Labour Together allegedly paid APCO Worldwide at least £30,000 for the report.

  • A memo from APCO reportedly intended to discredit journalist Paul Holden.

  • Sir Keir Starmer stated he had no prior knowledge of the investigation and that it requires scrutiny.

  • Josh Simons stated that APCO was tasked with investigating a "suspected illegal hack" and denied it was related to UK journalists.

  • Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake described Labour Together's actions as showing "a worrying contempt for the free press."

  • Labour MP John McDonnell has repeatedly asked for an independent inquiry.

Questions Surrounding Labour Together's Actions

Purpose of APCO Worldwide's Investigation

  • Did Labour Together directly commission APCO Worldwide to investigate journalists reporting on its funding, or was this a secondary outcome of a different task, such as investigating a suspected hack?

  • What specific information was APCO Worldwide instructed to gather, and to what extent did it deviate from those instructions?

Internal Knowledge and Oversight

  • Was Sir Keir Starmer or other senior Labour figures aware of the specific nature of the investigation into journalists before it became public?

  • What was Morgan McSweeney's level of involvement in the decision-making process regarding APCO Worldwide's engagement, given his former leadership role at Labour Together?

Impact on Press Freedom

  • How does the alleged investigation into journalists' backgrounds and sourcing practices affect the relationship between political entities and the media in the UK?

  • Does the alleged focus on a journalist's religious beliefs and ideological position represent a departure from standard investigative practices and an undue intrusion?

Expert and Political Reactions

"The prime minister has ordered the Cabinet Office to investigate claims about Labour Together after the group was accused of commissioning a report that investigated the background of a journalist." (BBC News)

"Labour Together's behaviour 'shows a worrying contempt for the free press'." (Kevin Hollinrake, Tory chairman)

Sir Keir Starmer said he "didn't know anything" about APCO Worldwide's investigation adding: "It absolutely needs to be looked into."

Labour MP John McDonnell has called for an independent inquiry.

Sources close to Morgan McSweeney stated he had not made the decision to hire APCO and that it was a matter for Labour Together.

Josh Simons described the claims as "nonsense," asserting APCO was hired to look into a "suspected illegal hack."

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Prime Minister's directive for a Cabinet Office investigation signifies the seriousness with which these allegations are being treated at the highest levels of government. The central questions revolve around the intent behind Labour Together's engagement with APCO Worldwide, the extent of internal knowledge within the Labour Party, and the implications for journalistic independence.

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The findings of the Cabinet Office investigation will be critical in determining the appropriate course of action. Separately, calls for an independent inquiry from within the Labour Party suggest ongoing internal pressure for transparency. The response from Labour Together and APCO Worldwide will also be crucial as the situation develops.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main claim about the Labour think tank?
The main claim is that a Labour-linked think tank called Labour Together paid a company to investigate journalists who were writing about the think tank's donations.
Q: Who ordered the review?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ordered the Cabinet Office to look into these claims.
Q: What did the company reportedly do?
Reports say the company looked into the background of a journalist, including their personal and religious details. They also made a memo to try and make another journalist look bad.
Q: What do people in the Labour Party say?
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he did not know about the investigation and that it needs to be looked into. Another Labour MP, John McDonnell, wants a full, separate inquiry.
Q: What does the think tank say?
A former director from the think tank said the company was hired to look into a suspected illegal hack, not journalists. He denies the claims.