Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has directed his ethics adviser to conduct an investigation into allegations against Josh Simons, a Cabinet Office minister, who purportedly ordered an inquiry into journalists' backgrounds at a think tank he previously led. This think tank, Labour Together, allegedly hired the PR firm Apco Worldwide for £36,000 to investigate specific journalists, raising ethical concerns about potential governmental overreach and harassment in the media sector.

The inquiry's initiation was confirmed by Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, who indicated that the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team had already established the facts surrounding these claims. The Prime Minister has since been briefed on the findings and has referred the matter to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, to assess whether the actions taken by Simons were in alignment with acceptable ethical standards for public officials.

This investigation underscores significant implications for the Labour Party and its governance, particularly concerning transparency and accountability in media relations. The outcome may not only affect Josh Simons's political career but also impact the public’s perception of Labour’s commitment to uphold journalistic integrity and the rule of law, particularly in the context of rising tensions between politicians and the media in the UK.