Questions are mounting regarding the accuracy of public statements made by Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons amid a growing scandal involving allegations of a smear campaign. Simons is accused of falsely linking journalists to a “pro-Kremlin” network.
The controversy centers on Simons’ involvement with Labour Together, a thinktank that faced scrutiny in November 2023 over £730,000 in undeclared political donations. Simons commissioned the American public affairs company Apco to investigate the sourcing of a story published in the Sunday Times, which was based on documents obtained by freelance journalist Paul Holden and planned for further reporting by American journalist Matt Taibbi.
Simons conceded that Apco “never fully got to the bottom” of the story’s origins. But, in January 2024, following receipt of Apco’s report, Simons emailed the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a division of GCHQ – and falsely linked a number of journalists to a hack of the Electoral Commission and alleged Russian propaganda efforts.
Discrepancies have emerged between Simons’ public statements and the details of the contract between Labour Together and Apco. Simons initially stated that Apco was hired to investigate an “illegal hack,” but the contract makes no reference to a suspected hack. The contract stipulated that Apco would provide “a body of evidence…to proactively undermine any future attacks on Labour Together” for a fee of £36,000.
Simons also claimed Apco’s investigation had “nothing to do” with the Sunday Times, despite the contract explicitly tasking Apco with investigating the sourcing of the Sunday Times article and related perform by Holden and Taibbi. He referenced journalists from the Sunday Times in his emails to the NCSC.
A government source initially stated that the Apco report contained information about only one journalist, Gabriel Pogrund. However, it is understood the report included information about at least three other journalists: Holden, Taibbi, and Andrew Murray. Simons has not corrected this statement.
Simons’ spokesperson initially dismissed a Guardian report detailing his communications with the NCSC as “untrue,” but declined to specify which claims were disputed. The Guardian has since published extracts from Simons’ emails with security officials, which show he and his then chief of staff, Ben Szreter, sought an investigation into the sourcing of the Sunday Times story, suggesting a link to a hack and Russian propaganda. The NCSC did not open an investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Simons commission Apco?
Simons commissioned Apco to investigate the sourcing of a Sunday Times article about Labour Together, as well as upcoming works by Paul Holden and Matt Taibbi, to establish who was behind “coordinated attacks” on the thinktank.
What did Simons tell the NCSC?
Simons emailed the NCSC and falsely linked a number of journalists to a hack of the Electoral Commission and Russian propaganda.
What is the discrepancy regarding the Apco report?
A source close to Simons initially claimed the Apco report contained information about only one journalist, Gabriel Pogrund, but it is understood to have contained information about at least three other journalists.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen what further scrutiny Josh Simons will face, and whether the ethics advisor’s investigation will reveal further discrepancies between his public statements and the available evidence.
