Minister Josh Simons resigns after Labour Together claims

Labour MP Josh Simons resigned as a Cabinet Office minister on Tuesday, following claims that the think tank he previously ran, Labour Together, commissioned a report investigating the backgrounds of journalists including their religious beliefs and political affiliations, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asked his ethics adviser to investigate the matter. Simons confirmed his resignation on social media platform X, stating he had 'become a distraction from this government's important work,' while Sir Keir expressed sadness but noted that ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus found Simons had not breached the ministerial code. The investigation revealed that Labour Together paid US public affairs firm APCO Worldwide at least £30,000 to 'investigate the sourcing, funding and origins' of a Sunday Times story about undeclared donations at the think tank ahead of the 2024 election. The report included information about journalist Gabriel Pogrund's Jewish beliefs and claims about his ideological position, suggesting his previous reporting 'could be seen as destabilising to the UK and also in the interests of Russia's strategic foreign policy objectives.' A contract seen by the BBC also agreed to investigate journalist Paul Holden and American reporter Matt Taibbi. Holden responded by stating that 'Josh Simons doesn't deserve to be an MP, let alone a cabinet minister,' claiming Simons' actions threatened his livelihood and reputation. In his letter to the prime minister, Simons said he 'never sought to smear' the journalists investigated, while Sir Laurie noted that Simons now accepted the terms he agreed with APCO were 'wider than he had understood' and he had acted 'too hastily in confirming their appointment.' More than 20 Labour MPs had called for a 'fully independent investigation,' with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accusing Sir Keir of using the Middle East situation to 'sneak out yet another ministerial resignation' and demanding an end to Labour Together's links with the government.