Josh Simons resigns over APCO row

Oliver Dean | 1st March 2026 | Lobbying, Policy & Think Tanks, Politics
Joshua Simons was an integral part of the Labour Together movement
(Joshua Simons ©House of Commons/Roger Harris)
Joshua Simons was an integral part of the Labour Together movement (Joshua Simons ©House of Commons/Roger Harris)

The former Cabinet Office Minister resigned after pressure mounted on him following allegations of his conduct whilst a senior figure at Labour Together

Josh Simons resigned as a Cabinet Office minister on Saturday after controversy over allegations that a think tank he formerly led paid a PR firm to investigate journalists who had reported critically on it. Simons stepped down after the Prime Minister's Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, concluded his inquiry. Although Magnus found no breach of the Ministerial Code, he noted the "distraction and potential reputational damage" caused and said Sir Keir would "wish to consider" whether Simons still held his confidence. In a letter to the Prime Minister Simons said he had "become a distraction from this Government's important work" and had therefore resigned. Starmer accepted the decision "with sadness," placing on record the ethics adviser's clearance and thanking Simons for his service. The core of the problem is Labour Together, an influential think tank Simons ran before entering parliament at the 2024 general election. The organisation, which was pivotal...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Money Changes Everything 

William Cash | September 16, 2026

The question of money buying influence in politics is centuries old and not going away

Death of the British staycation

Mace Magazine | September 15, 2026

The government's new 5% tourism tax is the last thing the UK's hospitality sector needs, says William Cash

“Two of our lemurs are missing”: a study in fake global news and a cautionary tale for the PA industry

Mace Magazine | September 11, 2026

One of the world’s richest men has been accused of ‘harbouring stolen lemurs’: The Mace reveals a cautionary tale in fake news.

Leader in Public Affairs: Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance, “Build a strong, proud and open culture where everyone has a voice”

Mace | September 8, 2026

After two decades spent in advocacy on behalf of business, Ros reveals what parts of the industry she believes needs reform.

A “little local difficulty” – Gawain Towler’s Reform Conference Diary

Mace Magazine | September 5, 2026

Seasoned Farage aide-de-camp Gawain Towler reflects on Reform's first ever Business Day at the NEC - and what it's like when a media grenade goes off during the

Tory reshuffle: Kemi shows her ruthless side

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | September 2, 2026

With a new team behind her, the latest Tory reshuffle has put the party on early election watch as well as showing her ruthless side.

Back to school chaos: first day of term report as Burnham faced the Commons

Emelia Wild | September 1, 2026

Andy Burnham addressed the House of Commons for the first time as Prime Minister as MPs returned to Parliament. How did he do at the dispatch box and

Silly season is coming to an end: What to expect from Westminster this Autumn

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | August 27, 2026

September and October usually mark the most intense period of political activity in the UK, here is what to expect.

Andy Burnham’s social media strategy faces questions over traditional media

Mace Magazine | August 26, 2026

The former Downing Street communications chief believes “there are hard truths coming” for Burnham.

Industry Watch: John Gill, Deputy Director of External Affairs, Reform UK – “There’s no limit to where a man can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit”

Mace Magazine | August 20, 2026

John Gill's promotion at Reform UK, just before the party launches its inaugural Business Day at its September NEC conference, is indicative of how the party is ramping