Keir Starmer hit by resignation as Labour minister quits following ethics probe

The Makerfield MP's resignation came shortly after the Prime Minister asked his ethics adviser to investigate whether Mr Simons broke the ministerial code.

Despite being cleared by the Prime Minister's independent ethics adviser, Mr Simons admitted the scandal has "become a distraction from this Government's important work".

He added: "For that reason, and with sadness and regret, I offer my resignation."

Mr Simons was accused of commissioning public relations firm Apco Worldwide to carry out a 58-page report on the backgrounds of journalists who had been investigating £730,000 worth of donations to Labour Together.

Labour Together, which helped Sir Keir secure the Labour leadership in 2020, paid Apco Worldwide £36,000 to "investigate the sourcing, funding and origins" of The Sunday Times's donations story.

Addressing the allegations in his resignation letter, Mr Simons said: "As I have said many times, I never sought to smear these newspaper reporters. I have not been able to go into detail on these claims while this investigation has been ongoing.

"During my time as Chief Executive of Labour Together, I sought to investigate how confidential material had been disclosed, and if it was the result of publicly confirmed hacks, including that of the Electoral Commission."

Responding to Mr Simons resignation, Sir Keir wrote to the Labour MP offering his appreciation for the Makerfield MP's work in the Cabinet Office.

The Prime Minister said: "I understand that, to avoid any ongoing distraction from delivering the Government’s mission, you have taken the difficult decision to step aside.

"I respect that decision, and I look forward to continuing to work with you in driving forward the Government’s priorities

Sir Keir and Mr Simons also referenced Sir Laurie Magnus's investigation into whether the Makerfield MP broke the ministerial code in their letters.

The Prime Minister's ethics adviser concluded Mr Simons "provided an account of his actions and his response to the allegations that have been made".

Sir Laurie added: "I see no basis for advising you of any breach of the Ministerial Code by Mr Simons, but you will wish to consider, in the light of this distraction and potential reputational damage, whether he continues to hold your confidence as a member of your Government."

However, the report conducted by Apco Worldwide included information about journalist Gabriel Pogrund's Jewish beliefs and claims about his ideological position.

It also claimed Mr Pogrund's previous reporting "could be seen as destabilising to the UK and also in the interests of Russia's strategic foreign policy objectives", including on the Royal Family.

More than 20 Labour MPs put pressure on the Prime Minister to carry out a "fully independent investigation" into Mr Simons and the report.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK had all put pressure on Mr Simons to resign from his post in the Cabinet Office.

Sir Keir has been rocked by a series of high-profile ministerial resignations since entering No10 in July 2024.

Ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner tendered her resignation after failing to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove.

Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh was forced to quit after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence.

Meanwhile, Labour grandee Peter Mandelson was sacked as the UK's Ambassador to the US over revelations about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The scandal also triggered the resignation of top No10 aides, including Sir Keir's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.