Labour MP Josh Simons resigns as Cabinet Office minister amid probe
Labour MP Josh Simons has resigned as a Cabinet Office minister, claiming he had “become a distraction from this Government’s important work,” reports BritPanorama.
Simons made his announcement via social media amidst an investigation into allegations that he broke the ministerial code. The probe follows claims that he ordered a contentious dossier regarding British journalists.
In his statement, Simons noted: “The Independent Advisor on Ministerial Standards has cleared me of breaching the ministerial code. But with regret, remaining in office has become a distraction, so I have resigned from government.” He affirmed his commitment to serving his constituents in Makerfield and striving for significant political change.
This resignation comes in the wake of several other high-profile departures, including former ministers such as Peter Mandelson, Angela Rayner, and Tulip Siddiq, all linked to various controversies within the Labour Party.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had requested a formal investigation into Simons following allegations concerning a dossier created by Labour Together. Ethics chief Laurie Magnus is examining whether Simons violated ministerial ethics while managing Labour Together before assuming his governmental role.
The investigation was prompted by claims that the think tank engaged US lobbying firm APCO to investigate journalists responsible for uncovering £730,000 in undeclared donations.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones confirmed in the House of Commons that the matter was referred to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. Sir Laurie’s inquiry aims to determine whether Simons misled his colleagues regarding the APCO investigation.
Although a separate propriety and ethics inquiry has previously cleared him of wrongdoing, it could not address whether he misled regarding the scope of the investigation, which allegedly included personal information about journalist Gabriel Pogrund from The Sunday Times.
Documents revealed by writer Matt Taibbi indicate that APCO’s investigation extended beyond initial parameters, probing into reporters’ backgrounds and making extensive financial checks.
The controversy centers on a 2023 article by The Sunday Times that reported concealed sources of substantial funding for Labour Together, sparking a misinformation campaign in Westminster against investigative journalists.
Simons expressed shock at APCO exceeding the investigation’s contract by collecting unnecessary personal details and maintained he did not instruct the firm to scrutinize any British journalists.
Opposition from Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and SNP members—and even some Labour MPs—demanded his resignation, given his role overseeing the digital ID rollout.
Sir Keir’s referral of the case to the ethics adviser places Simons’s future in the hands of Sir Laurie, whose investigations have previously prompted multiple resignations within Labour.
Simons continues to assert his innocence regarding any wrongdoing.
As political dynamics shift within the Labour Party amidst these resignations and ongoing inquiries, the implications for government stability and public trust remain significant.
