Minister Under Fire for False Allegations Against Journalists
Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons is at the center of a mounting scandal after falsely linking several journalists to a hack of the Electoral Commission and Russian propaganda. The controversy stems from his role with Labour Together, a thinktank that faced scrutiny in November 2023 over £730,000 in undeclared political donations.
Key Unanswered Questions in the Scandal
Simons commissioned American public affairs company Apco to investigate the sourcing of a story published by the Sunday Times, based on documents from freelance journalist Paul Holden and intended for further works by American journalist Matt Taibbi. Despite Apco's report not fully resolving the sourcing, Simons emailed the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in January 2024, making false connections between journalists and illicit activities.
Contract Discrepancies and Public Statements
One major question revolves around Simons' claim that Apco was hired to probe an "illegal hack." The contract with Apco, however, made no mention of a hack, instead focusing on reputation management and creating narratives to undermine attacks on Labour Together for £36,000. This raises doubts about the true purpose of the investigation.
Simons also stated that Apco's work had "nothing to do" with the Sunday Times, yet the contract explicitly referenced the newspaper and journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke. Emails to the NCSC further included these names, contradicting his public assertions.
Inconsistencies in Reporting and Responses
Another issue involves Simons' claim that the Apco report only contained information about one journalist, Gabriel Pogrund. In reality, the report is understood to have included details on at least three others: Paul Holden, Matt Taibbi, and Andrew Murray. Simons has not corrected this record, adding to the scrutiny.
When the Guardian reported on Simons' emails with the NCSC, a spokesperson for the minister dismissed the claims as "untrue" without specifying inaccuracies. The emails reveal that Simons and his then chief of staff, Ben Szreter, suggested links between the journalists and Russian intelligence, allegations that have been denied by those involved.
Aftermath and Ongoing Fallout
A source close to Simons defended his actions, citing genuine concerns about a possible hack and placing blame on Apco for any errors. However, the NCSC never opened an investigation, and questions remain about why a law firm for Labour Together referenced ongoing intelligence probes in February 2023. This scandal highlights tensions over press freedom and political accountability, with Simons facing increasing pressure to address these discrepancies.
