Domestic political scandal

Labour Together's Journalist Investigation Scandal

Analysis based on 9 articles · First reported Feb 16, 2026 · Last updated Feb 16, 2026

Sentiment

-20

Attention

Articles

Market Impact

General

Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the NewsDesk Dashboard

Market Impact

This political scandal could negatively impact the public image and trustworthiness of the Labour Party and its associated entities like Labour Together. For APCO (company), it poses a reputational risk, potentially affecting future contracts and client relationships in the PR industry.

Public Relations Media Government

Event Summary

A political scandal has emerged involving Labour Together, a prominent think tank, which allegedly hired PR firm APCO (company) to investigate journalists from The Sunday Times and The Guardian. The investigation reportedly aimed to discredit reporters who had published stories about Labour Together's failure to declare over £700,000 in donations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denied knowledge of the probe and initiated a United Kingdom===Cabinet Office investigation. Josh Simons, a current Labour MP and United Kingdom===Cabinet Office minister, was leading Labour Together when the investigation was commissioned. The Society of Editors and other political parties have expressed concerns about press freedom and transparency, leading to an internal review by APCO (company) and a review by the Public Relations and Communications Association.

Key Actions

100 Labour Together hired PR firm to investigate journalists APCO (company)

90 APCO (company) conducted investigation into journalists The Sunday Times

80 Keir Starmer ordered United Kingdom===Cabinet Office investigation United Kingdom===Cabinet Office

50 Public Relations and Communications Association launched review into APCO (company) APCO (company)

30 Labour Together fined for late reporting of donations United Kingdom===Election commission

Entities Involved

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Labour Together

Labour Together, a prominent think tank, is at the center of the scandal for allegedly hiring APCO (company) to investigate journalists. This has led to significant reputational damage and an investigation by the United Kingdom===Cabinet Office and PRCA.

Importance 100 Sentiment -40

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APCO (company)

APCO (company), a PR firm, was allegedly paid to conduct an investigation into journalists reporting on Labour Together's funding. This action has drawn criticism and led to an internal review and a review by the PRCA, potentially harming its reputation.

Importance 90 Sentiment -30

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Josh Simons

Josh Simons, a Labour MP and United Kingdom===Cabinet Office minister, ran Labour Together when the investigation was commissioned. His position is under scrutiny, and he has welcomed the investigations.

Importance 90 Sentiment -50

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Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer, as the Prime Minister, has denied knowledge of the investigation and has initiated a United Kingdom===Cabinet Office investigation into the allegations. This event could negatively impact his public image and the Labour Party's reputation for transparency.

Importance 80 Sentiment -10

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United Kingdom===Cabinet Office

The United Kingdom===Cabinet Office will be conducting an investigation into the allegations surrounding Labour Together and APCO (company). Its role is to establish the facts and ensure transparency.

Importance 80 Sentiment 0

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The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times was one of the media outlets whose journalists were allegedly investigated by APCO (company). The newspaper's editor has called for honesty from Labour Together regarding the motivations behind the probe.

Importance 70 Sentiment 10

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Liz Kendall

Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, has emphasized the importance of press freedom and stated that the United Kingdom===Cabinet Office will investigate the facts. She has faced questions regarding Josh Simons's tenability as a minister.

Importance 60 Sentiment -5

+ 6 more entities View on Dashboard

Relationships

Josh Simons related ↔ Labour Together

Keir Starmer related ↔ Labour Together

Josh Simons related ↔ United Kingdom===Cabinet Office

Morgan McSweeney related ↔ Labour Together

Alison Phillips related ↔ Labour Together

Keir Starmer related ↔ APCO (company)

Keir Starmer related ↔ The Sunday Times

Keir Starmer related ↔ United Kingdom===Cabinet Office

Keir Starmer related ↔ Josh Simons

Labour Together related ↔ APCO (company)

+ 7 more relationships View on Dashboard

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