Josh Simons Steps Down as Cabinet Office Minister After Investigation

(MENAFN) Labour MP Josh Simons has stepped down from his role as a Cabinet Office minister, days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asked his ethics adviser to examine claims against him, according to reports.

The allegations centered on the think tank Simons led prior to becoming an MP, which reportedly commissioned a report investigating the backgrounds of journalists.

Confirming his resignation on social media, Simons said he had "become a distraction from this government's important work."

Sir Keir stated he accepted the resignation "with sadness," adding that ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus determined Simons had not violated the ministerial code. "I want to express my thanks for the commitment, focus, and energy you have brought to ministerial office," the Prime Minister added.

In his resignation letter, Simons stressed that he "never sought to smear" the Guardian and Sunday Times journalists examined by APCO Worldwide and acknowledged their professional work.

According to reports, Labour Together paid APCO Worldwide at least £30,000 (around $37,000 USD) to "investigate the sourcing, funding and origins" of a Sunday Times story about undeclared think tank donations ahead of the 2024 election.

The US public affairs firm’s report reportedly included information about journalist Gabriel Pogrund’s Jewish beliefs and alleged ideological positions. Sources familiar with the document confirmed, as stated by reports, that it also suggested Pogrund’s previous reporting, including coverage of the Royal Family, "could be seen as destabilising to the UK and also in the interests of Russia's strategic foreign policy objectives."

A contract seen by reports indicated that APCO Worldwide was also tasked with investigating journalists Paul Holden and Matt Taibbi, an American reporter.

Holden reacted on Saturday, saying: "Josh Simons doesn't deserve to be an MP, let alone a cabinet minister," and added, "I will now work to make sure parliamentary authorities hold him to account if our weak and supine prime minister will not."

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