Labour MP Josh Simons has resigned as a Cabinet Office minister following explosive allegations that his former think tank, Labour Together, conducted background investigations into journalists. The resignation came swiftly — too swiftly, some might say, as if the party machine wanted this story buried before it could grow.
The allegations are deeply troubling. Labour Together, which was instrumental in Starmer’s leadership campaign and subsequent election strategy, allegedly compiled dossiers on reporters whose coverage was deemed unhelpful. If true, this represents a chilling attempt to intimidate the press.
Following Orders?
Simons has taken sole responsibility, which is the honourable thing to do. But nobody seriously believes a think tank with such close ties to the Labour leadership operated a journalist-monitoring operation without senior figures knowing about it.
The questions that need answering are simple: Who authorised these investigations? Who received the dossiers? And were they used to brief against journalists or restrict access?
A Pattern of Control
This episode fits a troubling pattern under Starmer’s leadership. From the purge of left-wing candidates to the tight media management to the centralisation of power in Downing Street, this is a government that prizes message control above all else. Investigating journalists is simply the logical extreme of that impulse.
Simons may be gone, but this story isn’t. The press will not forget, and neither should the public.