UK Minister Investigated for Falsely Linking Journalists to "Pro-Kremlin" Network

A government minister is under official examination following claims that his former think tank hired a firm to investigate journalists. The journalists had written articles about the think tank. The minister has been accused of then sharing information about these journalists, including what appear to be false and damaging claims, with a government security agency.

Background of the Claims

• The core issue involves Josh Simons, a minister in the Cabinet Office.

• Labour Together, a think tank where Simons was the head, reportedly hired APCO, a lobbying firm.

• The purpose of hiring APCO was to investigate journalists who had published stories critical of Labour Together.

• The findings of APCO's work are alleged to have included deeply personal and false statements about the journalists.

• These claims were later reportedly shared by Simons with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, under the label of a potential "pro-Kremlin" link.

Evidence and Accusations

Evidence suggests a timeline of events leading to the current investigation:

• APCO's Report: Simons commissioned a 58-page dossier from APCO while he was head of Labour Together. This report allegedly contained baseless claims about one journalist, including personal details about their faith and upbringing.

• Communication with NCSC: Emails show that Simons, through an associate, sent information to the NCSC. A source close to Simons stated this email was written under his direction.

• NCSC's Response: The NCSC met with Simons but ultimately decided not to investigate his report. They advised that they would not pursue the matter.

• Whistleblower Leak: A cache of emails was reportedly leaked to a journalist by a whistleblower. This leak provided the basis for the initial reporting on the alleged smear campaign.

• Legal Firm Involvement: The Telegraph reported that a top law firm was used in the process, though details of its exact role remain under examination.

The Role of Labour Together

Labour Together is a think tank closely associated with Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party. It played a part in Starmer's rise to leadership. The think tank has faced scrutiny over its finances, having been fined by the Electoral Commission in the past for late reporting of donations. The allegations suggest Labour Together was "desperate to make sure people stopped talking about the money" by targeting journalists.

Read More: Texas Republicans redraw districts, making it harder for Democrats to win seats in 2026

Official Investigations and Reactions

• Cabinet Office Probe: The Cabinet Office's Propriety and Ethics Team is investigating the claims. This is to establish the facts regarding the commissioning of the report and the subsequent sharing of information.

• Calls for Accountability: Conservative politicians have written to Labour's chair, calling for an immediate investigation into Simons' role and that of other Labour Together directors, including other serving ministers.

• Sir Keir Starmer's Position: Sir Keir Starmer has stated he has confidence in Mr. Simons. However, there are calls for Starmer to sever all ties with Labour Together.

Expert Perspectives

The situation has drawn commentary on the ethics of such actions:

• "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." - This statement, attributed to an unnamed source commenting on the case, highlights concerns about journalistic freedom.

Unanswered Questions

Several aspects of this situation remain unclear and are subjects of the ongoing investigation:

• The precise nature and extent of the information shared with the NCSC by Simons.

• The specific role of the law firm used in the process.

• The full details of what APCO uncovered and how that information was used internally by Labour Together.

• Whether any other journalists or news organizations were targeted by similar inquiries.

Sources

• The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/20/labour-minister-falsely-linked-journalists-to-pro-kremlin-network-in-emails-to-gchq - Reports on the minister's emails to GCHQ and the NCSC's response.

• Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-minister-faces-probe-over-campaign-smear-claimsuk699304bde4b0000f6414750b - Covers the investigation into the minister and the alleged smear campaign.

• Sky News: https://news.sky.com/story/investigation-launched-into-claims-labour-campaign-group-hired-lobbyists-to-probe-journalists-13508188 - Details the investigation launch and the role of lobbyists.

• The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/feb/18/minister-used-top-law-firm-to-smear-journalist/ - Discloses the minister's alleged use of a law firm to smear a journalist.

• The Guardian (additional): https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/16/cabinet-office-looking-into-labour-together-report-claims-says-minister - Reports on the Cabinet Office examining the commissioning of the report.