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British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing political pressure to address a new issue involving the Labour Party, following reports of a smear campaign against journalists.
According to a report in The Sunday Times, the think tank Labour Together paid £36,000 in 2023 to public relations firm Apco Worldwide to investigate journalists and identify their sources. The investigation was linked to publications about a £700,000 donation scandal.
At the time the payment was made, Labour Together was led by Josh Simons, who currently holds the position of minister in the Cabinet Office. The newspaper's reporting has prompted reactions from the opposition.
The Conservative Party has written to Labour leader Anna Turley demanding an investigation into Simons' role in the Apco Worldwide hiring. The Conservatives have also called for a review of the role of other leaders of Labour Together, including current cabinet ministers, and clarification on whether the party still considers it appropriate for Labour MPs to accept funding from the think tank.
Conservative Party leader Kevin Hollinrake said Labour should suspend all cooperation with Labour Together until an independent investigation into all allegations is completed.
Meanwhile, the SNP leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, called on the prime minister to sack Simons, calling him “at the centre of this scandal”. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s Nadhim Zahawi has raised questions about whether Starmer was aware of what he described as a “discredit campaign”.
So far, the prime minister's office has not made a public comment on these allegations.
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