Labour think tank commissioned firm to investigate journalists, the BBC understands.

A significant controversy has emerged within British politics, centring on a Labour-affiliated think tank, Labour Together, which played a pivotal role in Sir Keir Starmer’s successful bid for the party leadership. The BBC understands that this influential group commissioned a firm, APCO Worldwide, to conduct an investigation that ultimately delved into the personal and religious background of a prominent Sunday Times journalist, Gabriel Pogrund. The revelation has sparked considerable concern regarding journalistic ethics, press freedom, and the conduct of political organisations.

The investigation, codenamed "Operation Cannon," was initiated by Labour Together, an organisation that provided crucial support to Sir Keir Starmer during his leadership campaign and whose former head, Morgan McSweeney, now serves as Starmer’s chief of staff. The think tank contracted APCO Worldwide, a global public affairs and communications consultancy based in the United States, to scrutinise the "sourcing, funding and origins" of a specific story published by the Sunday Times. This story concerned allegations of undeclared donations received by Labour Together prior to a general election, a matter that would naturally be of sensitive interest to the organisation. For this investigative work, Labour Together reportedly paid APCO Worldwide at least £30,000.

However, the scope of "Operation Cannon" reportedly extended far beyond merely tracing the origins and funding of a news report. Sources close to the investigation, who spoke to the BBC, revealed that the final report included highly personal and sensitive information about Gabriel Pogrund, the journalist who co-authored the Sunday Times article. This included details about his Jewish beliefs, his personal relationships, and his upbringing. The report also purportedly sought to establish his "ideological position," venturing into territory widely considered to be an unacceptable intrusion into a journalist’s private life and professional autonomy.

Even more alarmingly, the APCO Worldwide report allegedly made extraordinary claims regarding Pogrund’s broader journalistic output. It suggested that his previous reporting, which notably included stories on the royal family, "could be seen as destabilising to the UK and also in the interests of Russia’s strategic foreign policy objectives." These are grave accusations, implying that a reputable journalist’s work, deemed worthy of national awards, might somehow be undermining national stability or serving the interests of a foreign power. Such allegations, if substantiated as being part of an investigative report commissioned by a political entity, raise serious questions about the intent behind the investigation and the perceived role of the press in a democratic society.

Gabriel Pogrund is a highly respected and accomplished journalist, currently serving as the Sunday Times Whitehall editor. His professional standing is underscored by his recent accolades, including being named Political Journalist of the Year and News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Press Awards. The targeting of such an acclaimed figure, with an investigation delving into his personal life and motivations, has sent ripples through the media industry. It is further understood that the controversial report was allegedly prepared by an individual who previously worked for the Sunday Times before joining APCO Worldwide, adding another layer of complexity to the ethical concerns surrounding the investigation.

The commission for this report originated from Josh Simons, who at the time was the head of Labour Together. Simons has since transitioned into a significant government role, now serving as a Cabinet Office minister, a position that places him at the heart of the UK’s administrative machinery. His involvement in commissioning such a report, even prior to his ministerial appointment, has drawn particular scrutiny.

Responding to the revelations, Josh Simons expressed his "surprise and shock" at the extent to which APCO Worldwide’s report ventured beyond the agreed terms of the contract. He stated that the inclusion of "unnecessary information on Gabriel Pogrund" was not what he had requested. Simons asserted that upon becoming aware of these details, he asked for the information pertaining to Pogrund to be removed from the document. A redacted version of the report, with the sensitive personal details about Pogrund excised, was subsequently passed to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This action, according to sources close to Simons, was taken due to ongoing concerns about a "suspected illegal hack" that was believed to be unrelated to any UK journalist and was the initial impetus for the investigation into the story’s origins. Simons further clarified that he had not shared the unredacted report with anyone outside of Labour Together. He also welcomed the investigation launched by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), the industry’s professional body, into the matter.

A contract addressed to Simons, which BBC News has seen, explicitly shows that APCO Worldwide was engaged to investigate "the sourcing, funding and origins" of the Sunday Times reporting. Crucially, the contract also listed Gabriel Pogrund, along with Paul Holden – who has since authored a critical book about Sir Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney – and American reporter Matt Taibbi, as subjects of the investigation. This contractual detail suggests that inquiry into the journalists themselves was, at least to some degree, part of the initial brief.

Alison Phillips, who assumed the role of CEO at Labour Together after the APCO report was commissioned and delivered, issued a statement acknowledging the gravity of the situation. She affirmed her commitment to ensuring that Labour Together "aspires to the highest standards of probity at all times." Phillips also declared that the think tank stands "ready to support the PRCA [and other relevant governance bodies] with its review of this issue," indicating a willingness to cooperate with external inquiries.

The unfolding story has provoked strong reactions from within the Labour Party and wider political circles. Several Labour Members of Parliament have publicly voiced their concerns, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations. Karl Turner, the Labour MP for East Hull, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the matter, suggesting that the Prime Minister should initiate an investigation. He starkly stated, "Plausible deniability is only plausible until it isn’t," hinting at the potential for broader accountability.

John McDonnell, the former Shadow Chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn and currently the Secretary of the National Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) Parliamentary Group, has been particularly vocal. He revealed that he has repeatedly urged Labour’s general secretary, Hollie Ridley, to launch an independent inquiry into the claims. McDonnell emphasised the severe implications of the allegations for press freedom and ethical conduct, posting, "[It’s] clear to me as Secretary of the NUJ’s Parliamentary Group if true this is unacceptable." His comments highlight the trade union’s concern for the rights and protection of journalists, especially when they are scrutinised by political entities.

The controversy casts a shadow over Labour Together, an organisation that positioned itself as a modernising force within the Labour Party and was instrumental in shaping Sir Keir Starmer’s path to leadership. The decision to commission a firm to investigate a journalist’s personal and religious background, and to link their reporting to national destabilisation or foreign policy objectives, raises profound questions about the boundaries of political opposition research and the respect for a free and independent press. The ongoing investigations by the PRCA and potential internal inquiries will be closely watched, as they seek to determine the full extent of what transpired and establish accountability for actions that many in the media and political spheres consider deeply troubling. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for how political organisations engage with the press and the ethical standards expected of those in public life.