Josh Simons resigned as a Cabinet Office minister after an inquiry into claims that Labour Together, a think tank he led before joining the government, paid Apco Worldwide £36,000 to investigate reporters who had written articles about its work. Simons was accused of commissioning surveillance of journalists. In his resignation, Simons said he had 'become a distraction from this Government's important work'.
Ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus concluded that Simons had not violated the Ministerial Code. Magnus stated that Simons now accepted that the terms he had agreed with Apco were 'wider than he had understood' and that he had acted 'too hastily in confirming their appointment'. Simons had maintained that Apco had been engaged to look into an unlawful hack.
Magnus said Simons acted 'in good faith' and noted the MP acknowledged the 'perceived gap between his public statements and what he now accepts appears to be a more extensive scope has been damaging'. Magnus saw no basis for advising of any breach of the Ministerial Code but noted the Prime Minister should consider whether he continues to hold his confidence. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he accepted 'with sadness' the resignation and thanked Simons for his 'commitment, focus, and energy brought to ministerial office'.
Starmer added that the Independent Adviser found no breach of the Ministerial Code and that he respected Simons' decision to step aside. In his resignation letter, Simons stated, 'I welcome that Sir Laurie Magnus has cleared me of breaching the Ministerial Code. ' He also said, 'Nonetheless, it is clear that my remaining in office has now become a distraction from this Government’s important work.
' The exact terms of the agreement between Simons and Apco Worldwide remain unclear.