Labour Minister Accused of Orchestrating 'McCarthyite Smear' Against Journalists
In a shocking revelation, a Labour minister has been exposed for personally naming journalists to British intelligence officials and falsely linking them to pro-Russian propaganda networks. Josh Simons, who now serves as a Cabinet Office minister, was involved in sending emails to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of GCHQ, in early 2024, alleging that reporters were part of a coordinated effort to undermine the Labour Party.
Emails Reveal False Allegations and Personal Intrusions
The emails, obtained by the Guardian, show that Simons and his chief of staff at the thinktank Labour Together, Ben Szreter, pressed NCSC officials to investigate the sourcing behind a Sunday Times story. This story had exposed Labour Together's failure to disclose £730,000 in political donations, resulting in a £14,000 fine from the Electoral Commission. Simons claimed the article might be linked to a Russian disinformation campaign, despite no credible evidence supporting this assertion.
In the correspondence, Simons and Szreter specifically named Sunday Times journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke, as well as freelance reporter Paul Holden. They suggested that Holden, who was credited in the story, was "living with" the daughter of Andrew Murray, a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn, whom they falsely accused of having "links to Russian intelligence." This personal information was obtained using investigative tools, raising serious privacy concerns.
Simons' Contradictory Statements and Ongoing Investigations
Simons has publicly stated he was "surprised" and "furious" that a report he commissioned from APCO Worldwide included unnecessary details about Pogrund, claiming the information was "immediately removed." However, the emails reveal that weeks after receiving the APCO report, Simons was actively involved in naming Pogrund to intelligence officials and perpetuating the false narrative of Russian involvement.
The Labour minister is currently under investigation by the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team for his role in commissioning and disseminating the APCO report. His spokesperson declined to confirm whether Simons disclosed his emails with GCHQ to the investigating team. The NCSC ultimately decided not to pursue the allegations, but Simons continued to brief national newspapers with the unsubstantiated claims.
Journalists and Affected Parties Speak Out
Those named in the emails have condemned Simons' actions as a "McCarthyite smear" campaign. Paul Holden expressed feeling "violated" and highlighted the potential consequences for his sensitive investigative work. Jessica Murray, Holden's partner, described the intrusion as "disturbing, creepy, and deplorable," emphasizing her privacy was breached. Andrew Murray denied any links to Russian intelligence, calling the allegations "a lie" and criticizing Simons as "unfit to hold public office."
The incident underscores broader concerns about political attempts to discredit journalists and manipulate intelligence agencies for partisan gains. As pressure mounts for Simons to resign, the revelations expose a troubling episode in British politics, where false accusations were weaponized against those reporting on electoral breaches.
