Labour MP Josh Simons has stepped down from his position as a Cabinet Office minister, citing his desire not to divert attention from the government’s important tasks.
Despite Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser confirming that Mr. Simons did not violate the Ministerial Code, he chose to resign amidst scrutiny over allegations that Labour Together, a think tank he previously led, paid a PR firm over £30,000 to investigate journalists from various news outlets.
In his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Simons expressed that his continued presence in office was becoming a hindrance to the government’s crucial work, leading to his decision to resign with a sense of sadness and regret.
The controversy stemmed from Labour Together’s failure to disclose substantial donations, resulting in a fine and investigations into the organization’s financial practices. Mr. Simons had initially suggested that the PR firm was hired to investigate a potential hack, but later acknowledged that the scope of their work was broader than he had realized.
Although the ethics adviser found no breach of the Ministerial Code by Mr. Simons, he highlighted the perceived discrepancy between the former minister’s public statements and the actual extent of the investigation, which had caused reputational harm.
The Prime Minister accepted Mr. Simons’ resignation with regret, acknowledging his dedication and contributions to the ministerial role. The Independent Adviser’s report confirmed no breach of the Ministerial Code and commended Mr. Simons for his cooperation during the investigation.
A Labour insider praised Mr. Simons for prioritizing the party’s interests by resigning, emphasizing his commitment to advancing Labour’s political agenda despite facing challenges.
