Keir Starmer Says He Didn't Know About Report on Journalists

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has said he was not aware of a report that looked into journalists. This report was made by a group called Labour Together. A government office will now investigate to find out what happened.
By Newsroom | Politics, UK |

Sir Keir Starmer has stated he had no prior knowledge of a reported investigation into journalists by Labour Together, a think tank closely associated with his rise to party leadership. He has affirmed that the Cabinet Office will launch an inquiry to establish the facts surrounding these allegations. The controversy centres on claims that Labour Together commissioned a report containing potentially damaging and personal information about journalists who had been investigating the organisation.

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Background of the Controversy

The allegations first surfaced with reports detailing a supposed investigation into journalists conducted by Labour Together. This think tank has been instrumental in supporting Sir Keir Starmer's political ascent. The recent scrutiny intensified after the "Democracy For Sale" newsletter published similar claims.

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  • Timeline of Events: The reported investigation and subsequent revelations have unfolded over a period, with key actions taking place in 2023 and 2024. Calls for an inquiry and public statements from political figures have emerged in late 2025 and early 2026.

  • Key Actors:

  • Keir Starmer: Leader of the Labour Party, denying knowledge of the probe.

  • Labour Together: The think tank at the centre of the allegations.

  • Josh Simons: A former chief executive of Labour Together who is reported to have commissioned the specific report in question.

  • Morgan McSweeney: Former head of Labour Together and currently Chief of Staff to Sir Keir Starmer.

  • APCO: A PR consultancy reportedly paid by Labour Together for the report.

  • Conservative Party: Demanding an investigation into Labour's actions and Sir Keir Starmer's ties to the think tank.

  • John McDonnell: Labour MP and former shadow chancellor, calling for an independent inquiry.

  • Alison Phillips: Chief Executive of Labour Together.

Details of the Alleged Probe

Reports indicate that Labour Together engaged the PR consultancy Apco to produce a report. This report allegedly contained "deeply personal and false claims" about at least one journalist, Gabriel Pogrund, specifically mentioning his Jewish background.

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  • Commissioning of the Report: Josh Simons, while leading Labour Together, commissioned the 2023 report.

  • Information Dissemination: The report was reportedly shared informally with Labour figures, including cabinet ministers, in 2024.

  • Scope of Investigation: According to Simons, no other British journalists were investigated in any document that Labour Together received.

Calls for Investigation and Accountability

The allegations have prompted significant pressure from various political factions and figures for a thorough investigation.

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  • Conservative Party Demands: The Conservative Party has formally written to Labour's chair, Anna Turley, requesting an immediate inquiry into Josh Simons's role and that of other Labour Together directors, including serving cabinet ministers. They have also urged the party to suspend all engagement with the think tank. Furthermore, they have asked the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to investigate whether Sir Keir Starmer failed to declare support from Labour Together during his 2020 leadership bid.

  • Labour Figures' Stance: Senior Labour figures, including John McDonnell, have reiterated calls for an independent inquiry. Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, has also supported a probe.

  • Sir Keir Starmer's Response: Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that the Cabinet Office would investigate the claims, stating he was unaware of the probe and that it "absolutely needs to be looked into."

Underlying Connections and Scrutiny

The controversy is compounded by the close relationships between key individuals and the think tank's historical role.

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  • Labour Together's Influence: The organisation played a significant part in Starmer's victory in the leadership contest.

  • McSweeney's Role: Morgan McSweeney, who previously led Labour Together, became Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff after his leadership win. His own involvement in gathering material on journalists is reportedly under scrutiny. Sources close to McSweeney indicate he did not make the decision to hire Apco.

  • Think Tank's Public Image: Publicly, Labour Together was presented as a broad-based initiative to unite the Labour party.

Expert and Political Commentary

The situation has drawn strong reactions from across the political spectrum, with emphasis on transparency and adherence to rules.

"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." - Sir Keir Starmer

"The Conservatives have called for an investigation into whether Sir Keir Starmer failed to declare support from the think tank Labour Together during his 2020 leadership bid." - BBC News

"Mr Hollinrake argues the rules leave no room for doubt: Starmer should have declared the help." - Conservative Post

Conclusion and Next Steps

Sir Keir Starmer has publicly denied any knowledge of the reported investigation by Labour Together into journalists and has initiated a Cabinet Office inquiry to ascertain the facts. This development follows reports that Labour Together commissioned a PR firm for a dossier containing personal information on journalists. The Conservative Party has escalated its demands, calling for investigations into both the think tank's activities and Sir Keir Starmer's past declarations of support. The involvement of key figures, including Josh Simons and Morgan McSweeney, alongside the think tank's influential role in Labour's leadership contest, adds layers of complexity to the ongoing situation. The outcome of the Cabinet Office investigation and any potential action by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards will be critical in determining the ramifications of these allegations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Labour Together?
Labour Together is a group that helped Keir Starmer become the leader of the Labour Party.
Q: What are the main claims?
It is claimed that Labour Together paid for a report with personal details about journalists who wrote about them.
Q: What is Keir Starmer's response?
Keir Starmer says he did not know about this report and that a government office will now check the facts.
Q: Who else is involved?
Key people include Josh Simons and Morgan McSweeney from Labour Together, and the PR company Apco. The Conservative Party is also asking for an investigation.