Who is Josh Simons – and why has the ex minister resigned?
Who is Josh Simons – and why has the ex minister resigned?
Though Josh Simons remains a lesser-known figure beyond Westminster, his recent actions have sparked significant debate, culminating in his decision to step down as Cabinet Office minister. The controversy centers on an investigation into allegations that his thinktank, Labour Together, directed a PR firm to probe journalists covering its activities.
The PR Firm’s Role
The inquiry by Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s independent ethics adviser, revealed that Labour Together had paid £36,000 to a U.S.-based public affairs firm, Apco, to scrutinize the backgrounds of reporters who had uncovered discrepancies in the campaign group’s financial disclosures.
“The PR firm produced deeply personal and false claims about Gabriel Pogrund, our Whitehall editor, while Harry Yorke, the deputy political editor, was also implicated,” stated The Sunday Times.
The report suggested the journalists might be part of a Russian conspiracy or had used emails compromised by the Kremlin, according to the publication.
Simons’ Background and Rise
Josh Simons was first elected in 2024 as the Labour MP for Makerfield in Greater Manchester. He swiftly ascended the political ladder, becoming a parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office before assuming a senior role. Since January, he has served as a junior minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Even prior to his parliamentary career, Simons was cultivating a public image. In 2022, he took charge of Labour Together, a pivotal internal thinktank that had previously been managed by the prime minister’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. The group was instrumental in supporting Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership victory after Labour’s 2019 election loss.
Previous Controversies
Simons’ reputation faced scrutiny in 2024 when he proposed shipping migrant smuggling groups to the northern part of Scotland. He later issued an apology for the remark.
His role in Labour Together further solidified his image as a Starmer loyalist, as the thinktank aimed to align the party with centrist policies.
Investigation Findings
Sir Laurie Magnus noted that Simons had admitted the terms of his agreement with Apco were “wider than he had understood” and that he acted “too hastily” in approving their engagement. While he acted in good faith, the adviser highlighted the “perceived gap between his public statements and what he now accepts” as damaging to the government’s image.
Keir Starmer acknowledged Simons’ contributions in a letter, praising his “commitment, focus, and energy” during his tenure.
Conservative Criticism
Despite allies defending Simons as someone who sought to investigate potential illegal hacks rather than smear journalists, the Conservatives have been vocal in their disapproval. Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, accused Starmer of using the Middle East conflict to “sneak out yet another ministerial resignation.”
“Another time he’s lacked the backbone to sack a minister who was obviously in the wrong,” Badenoch added. “Keir Starmer must tell us immediately if he will now end Labour Together’s links with his government and return the tai.”
As the resignation unfolds, questions remain about the extent of the thinktank’s influence and the implications for Labour’s internal dynamics.
