Starmer’s top advisers knew about ‘indefensible’ journalists’ probe, documents reveal
Summary
Senior advisers to Keir Starmer were informed about a controversial investigation into journalists who wrote critical articles about the Labour Together thinktank. The investigation, carried out by a US PR firm, looked into the backgrounds of certain reporters and was approved by some top Labour aides, but Labour says Starmer was not aware of it.Key Facts
- Labour Together’s director Josh Simons commissioned a probe in 2023 into journalists writing critical stories about the thinktank.
- The investigation was done by Apco Worldwide, a US-owned public relations company, paid over £30,000.
- The investigation looked into Journalists including Henry Dyer, Gabriel Pogrund, Harry Yorke, and John McEvoy.
- The report made claims about Pogrund’s faith and suggested his work could harm UK interests and align with Russia’s goals.
- Simons stepped down as a minister after the investigation details became public.
- Simons said he was surprised by the investigation’s findings and claimed it exceeded its agreed scope.
- Key aides Morgan McSweeney and Paul Ovenden knew about and approved the investigation but the documents given to them hid journalists’ names.
- Labour says Starmer did not know about the investigation or its outcomes.
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