Labour Minister Josh Simons Steps Down Amid False Journalist Allegations Scandal
Labour minister Josh Simons has resigned from the government after it was revealed that he falsely connected reporters to a "pro-Kremlin" network in communications with GCHQ. This development follows intense scrutiny over his involvement in a thinktank's commissioning of a PR firm to investigate journalists.
Pressure Mounts Over Thinktank's Actions
Simons, the Makerfield MP and former Cabinet office minister, had been under growing pressure due to his role in Labour Together's decision to hire the lobbying agency APCO. The firm was tasked with looking into journalists who were reporting on the thinktank's failure to disclose political donations. Earlier this month, the Guardian disclosed that Simons personally commissioned and reviewed APCO's report on these journalists.
Investigation and Resignation
Facing a formal inquiry by Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards, Simons was cleared of breaching the ministerial code. However, Magnus noted that his continued presence in government posed a "distraction and potential reputational damage." Simons announced his resignation on Saturday, stating that his position had become "a distraction from this government's important work."
False Allegations and Email Revelations
After the Sunday Times reported that APCO's report included baseless claims about journalist Gabriel Pogrund's faith and personal life, Simons expressed surprise and shock. However, the Guardian later revealed that Simons and his chief of staff had emailed the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), naming Pogrund and colleague Harry Yorke. They suggested their story might be part of a Russian disinformation campaign and sent a truncated version of the APCO report, falsely linking freelance journalist Paul Holden to a "pro-Kremlin propaganda network."
There is no credible evidence supporting any involvement of the journalists in a pro-Russian campaign. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about journalist safety and the integrity of political investigations.
