Labour backbenchers and Reform UK called for an independent inquiry, with the SNP urging the Prime Minister to sack Josh Simons as part of a governance crisis.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn urged Simons’ removal and criticized the Prime Minister’s handling of the issue amid wider cost-of-living concerns.

The contract shows Simons sought information on sources for a book about Morgan McSweeney’s role in Starmer’s rise and related US journalist Matt Taibbi’s articles.

Labour party figures are pressuring Keir Starmer to initiate an inquiry into links between Labour Together and government figures, amid allegations that APCO Worldwide was hired to probe reporters over funding disclosures.

The Sunday Times reportedly obtained a 58-page APCO report aimed at discrediting reporters who covered Labour Together’s campaign finance breaches, including a 2021 fine of £14,250 for late donation reporting tied to around £730,000 (covering 2017–2020).

APCO’s report allegedly investigated sourcing, funding, and origins of a November 2023 Sunday Times article about Labour Together and related journalist investigations.

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said an inquiry is “only right” and underscored the importance of journalists working without fear or favour.

Nadhim Zahawi, now with Reform UK, echoed calls for transparency, saying the situation would provoke a strong reaction if another party were implicated.

Conservatives pressed for full transparency and questioned whether senior PMO figures knew about the actions, framing it within broader Mandelson-Epstein controversy surrounding government integrity.

Clive Lewis and Nadhim Zahawi joined calls for accountability, while SNP’s Stephen Flynn pressed Starmer to sack Simons and address governance questions.

John McDonnell urged an independent inquiry and kept Keir Starmer informed; Karl Turner urged the Prime Minister to address the affair.

Conservative chair Kevin Hollinrake and Reform UK demanded an independent inquiry and full transparency about who knew what, when, and why.