Ethics probe targets minister Josh Simons over journalist investigation

Ethics probe targets digital identity minister

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered a formal ethics investigation into Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons regarding his past leadership of the think tank Labour Together. The government’s propriety and ethics team will examine Simons’ role in commissioning a private investigation into Sunday Times journalists.

The investigation follows reports that the think tank hired a U.S. public affairs firm to probe reporters who were looking into the group's finances. Starmer told reporters he had no prior knowledge of the investigation before the details became public this week. Simons currently leads the UK government’s digital identity program, a high-profile initiative central to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The controversy centers on Simons' tenure as executive director of Labour Together between 2022 and 2024. During this period, the group functioned as a primary engine for Starmer’s rise to power and the broader Labour Party platform. The think tank has faced scrutiny for its donor transparency and its aggressive internal tactics during the transition to government.

Think tank targeted Sunday Times reporters

In 2023, Labour Together commissioned the U.S. firm APCO Worldwide to investigate journalists at the Sunday Times. The reporters were investigating a failure by the think tank to declare £730,000 in donations to the Electoral Commission. The resulting report allegedly attempted to discredit the journalists’ sources and methods.

The Sunday Times claims the APCO report falsely suggested its journalists used hacked emails provided by Russian intelligence. One specific section of the report focused on reporter Gabriel Pogrund, noting that he is Jewish. The newspaper described the document as a smear campaign designed to link legitimate investigative journalism to foreign conspiracies.

Simons admitted he saw the report and passed a redacted version to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a branch of GCHQ. He claims he was shocked by the inclusion of "unnecessary information" regarding Pogrund’s background. Simons says he requested the removal of those specific details before sharing the document with intelligence officials.

• Labour Together failed to declare £730,000 in donations.
• The think tank hired APCO Worldwide to investigate the resulting news coverage.
• The NCSC declined to launch a full inquiry after reviewing the redacted report.
• Simons stepped down from the think tank after winning a seat as an MP in 2024.

Calls for suspension amid digital push

Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart has called for Simons to step down from his ministerial post while the Cabinet Office completes its probe. Smart described the investigation into journalists as an "outrageous attack" on the free press. She argued that a minister responsible for sensitive digital data should not remain in office during an ethics investigation.

The timing of the probe complicates the government's rollout of its Digital Information and Smart Data Bill. This legislation aims to create a legal framework for digital identity service providers in the UK. Simons has been the primary advocate for the bill, defending its privacy safeguards in Parliament over the last several months.

Simons' role at the Cabinet Office gives him significant influence over how the government handles citizen data. Critics argue that the tactics used at Labour Together raise questions about his judgment regarding surveillance and data privacy. The government has not yet indicated if Simons will face a temporary suspension during the ethics review.

Mandatory digital checks face new scrutiny

The ethics probe coincides with a heated debate over Simons' plans for mandatory digital right-to-work checks. In September 2024, Starmer originally proposed a compulsory digital ID system for all workers. The government retreated from the word "compulsory" in January following a backlash from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups.

Simons clarified the government's position this week in response to questions from Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake. He confirmed that while a physical ID card is not planned, the checks themselves will be "digital and mandatory." This means employers must use approved digital platforms to verify a person's right to work in the UK.

This policy shift has triggered concerns about digital exclusion for those without smartphones or reliable internet access. Simons maintains that the digital-first approach will reduce fraud and streamline the hiring process for businesses. The Cabinet Office plans to launch a formal consultation on the technical specifications for these checks later this year.

Labour Together and the Starmer circle

The investigation into Simons also touches on the inner circle of the Prime Minister’s office. Labour Together founder Morgan McSweeney served as Starmer’s chief of staff until earlier this month. McSweeney resigned following a separate controversy involving the appointment of Peter Mandelson as a potential ambassador to the U.S.

Labour Together has long been the intellectual hub for the "Starmerite" wing of the party. The group’s influence has grown significantly since 2020, placing many of its former staff members in key government roles. The ethics probe into Simons represents the first major challenge to the group's conduct since Labour took office.

The Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team will look for any breaches of the Ministerial Code. While the events occurred before Simons became a minister, the code requires officials to maintain high standards of integrity in their private and professional lives. The results of the probe will determine if Simons can continue leading the UK's digital transformation.

Technical details of the digital ID plan

The government's revised digital ID strategy focuses on a "trust framework" rather than a single government database. Under this model, private companies will be certified to provide digital identity checks that the government recognizes as valid. Simons has argued this decentralized approach protects privacy better than a national ID card.

Key features of the proposed digital identity system include:

• Certified Providers: Private firms must meet government security standards to issue digital IDs.
• Right-to-Work: Employers will use digital apps to scan passports and share data with the Home Office.
• Data Minimization: Systems must only share the specific data needed to verify a claim, such as "over 18" rather than a full birth date.
• Interoperability: Digital IDs should work across different sectors, including banking, moving house, and employment.

Despite these technical goals, the political pressure on Simons is mounting. The Sunday Times investigation into his past suggests a willingness to use aggressive tactics against critics. If the ethics probe finds that Simons authorized the targeting of journalists, his position at the forefront of the UK's digital policy may become untenable.

The government expects to conclude the propriety and ethics review in the coming weeks. Until then, Simons remains in his post, answering parliamentary questions and drafting the next phase of the digital ID rollout. The outcome will signal how the Starmer administration intends to handle internal scandals and the protection of press freedoms.