Politics LIVE: Labour minister under investigation over ‘smear scandal’ engulfing group linked to Keir Starmer

WATCH IN FULL: Keir Starmer denies knowledge of Labour Together-linked ‘probe’ into journalists

Labour Together journalist investigation ‘profoundly troubling,’ says industry chief

An industry chief has said the investigation launched by think tank Labour Together into journalists who were “doing their jobs” is ” profoundly troubling”.

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said: “Journalists asking questions about funding, influence or public life are not adversaries to be investigated; they are carrying out a fundamental democratic duty.

“The idea that reporters could themselves become the subject of intelligence-style inquiries simply for doing their jobs is profoundly troubling and sets a dangerous precedent, regardless of which political party or organisation is involved.”

She added: “Robust journalism will sometimes be uncomfortable for those in positions of power, but scrutiny must never be met with attempts to undermine or intimidate those asking questions.

“Public confidence in politics and institutions depends on transparency, not retaliation.

“At a time when journalists around the world face growing hostility and risk, the UK must uphold the highest standards at home.

“A healthy democracy requires challenge, scrutiny and accountability — and that includes protecting journalists from becoming targets themselves.”

Reform unveils first pledge ahead of May London elections

Reform UK have announced their first election pledge ahead of the May 2026 London elections.

Nigel Farage’s party has taken aim at the “scourge of homelessness among Brits”, declaring “war on homelessness” and vowing Reform-led councils will prioritise British citizens and veterans for social housing.

The Party announced their intention to impose lengthy long-term residency requirements in every London council they win in May.

They also vowed to end participation in the City of Sanctuary UK network in the councils they control.

Reform’s candidate for Mayor of London Laila Cunningham said: “For far too long, Brits have been pushed to the back of the housing queue and left homeless in their own country in favour of, in some cases, people that have only just arrived.

“Most shockingly of all veterans who have fought for Britain are promised priority, but in practice get nothing.

“In May, Reform-led London councils will end this scandal. They will ensure that strong local ties are prioritised, and those who have lived and contributed to our communities come first.

“Labour, Tories and Lib Dems have failed our own. Reform will finally put Brits and Londoners first again and make this city work for its people.”

PM giving speech on Labour’s approach to online safety

Sir Keir Starmer is doing a speech in London this morning detailing Labour’s approach to online safety.

He is talking about the government’s approach to online safety, social media for children, and technology.

The PM said the current system is “not working”. He unveiled the latest plans late last night.

WATCH: Christopher Hope gives latest on Chagos deal delays

Labour MP demands investigation into ‘serious’ Labour Together allegations after writing to PM ‘four times’ over concerns 

A Labour MP has demanded an investigation into the “serious” accusations over think tank Labour Together’s conduct.

Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said he has asked Sir Keir Starmer “four times” to launch an investigation into potential links between the Government the think tank.

Labour Together is said to have hired APCO Worldwide to investigate reporters from The Sunday Times, The Guardian and other outlets to identify their sources after stories about the think tank’s failure to declare more than £700,000 in donations.

Mr McDonnell, secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) parliamentary group, told the BBC: “I’ve written four times now to the general secretary of the Labour Party, including to Keir Starmer, to say this is serious, launch an investigation, but that’s not happened.”

He later added: “I got a reply from the general secretary that said this isn’t a Labour organisation, even though I said look it’s managed and controlled by Labour Party members, quite senior Labour Party members, and I was referred to the complaints department about individual members of the party and I said that doesn’t meet the seriousness of this case.”

WATCH: Labour warned over ‘false sense of security’ amid latest on u16s social media ban

No10 will ‘be looking into’ Labour Together amid pressure to launch probe following ‘smear campaign’ scandal

The Cabinet Office will “be looking into” the conduct of think tank Labour Together, which has been accused of paying a PR firm to investigate journalists reporting on its funding.

Liz Kendall told Times Radio on Monday morning: “Personally, and as a Government as a whole, we absolutely value the freedom of the press.”

The Technology Secretary aded: “It’s right that this issue is being investigated by the relevant body here, the regulatory body, which is looking at public affairs companies.

“And the Cabinet Office will also be looking into this to make sure all the facts are established.”

While the PM has come under fire yet again, he is also now facing calls to sack former Labour Together director and now Government minister and MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, following his alleged role in the scandal.

When asked about an investigation Mr Simons, Ms Kendall replied:”The Cabinet Office will be investigating the facts of what has happened.

“There’s already an investigation going on by the regulatory body that covers public affairs agencies, and that is absolutely right, too.”

Keir Starmer reveals fresh details of plan for major new internet restrictions

The PM will unveil plans for a set of new social media curbs on Monday | GETTY

Sir Keir Starmer has revealed plans for a host of new internet restrictions in a bid to “protect children online”.

The Prime Minister declared last night he would move to implement a set of new bans to block young people from accessing “harmful” parts of the internet.

Under his proposals, young people will be blocked from using VPNs to access pornography.

Restrictions on children interacting with AI “chatbots” are also being considered.

A consultation on banning under-18s from social media and limiting “infinite scrolling” will also begin in March.

READ THE LATEST ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN HERE.

Labour ‘considering massive defence spending hike by 2029 with £17billion funding drive’

Labour is said to be weighing up a huge hike in defence spending before the end of this Parliament.

Last year, the Prime Minister promised to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by next April, rising to three per cent in the next Parliament, or after 2029.

The BBC reported overnight that Downing Street is now looking at proposals to meet that three per cent goal by the end of the current Parliament, which could last until 2029 unless an early General Election is called.

No decision has yet been taken, and the Treasury is said to be cautious over the plans.

Last March, the Office for Budget Responsibility calculated that increasing defence spending to three per cent of GDP would cost an extra £17.3billion every year.

Sir Keir Starmer told world leaders in Munich over the weekend: “To meet the wider threat, it’s clear that we are going to have to spend more, faster.”

But fears are likely to remain that any increase in defence spending could be wiped out by technicalities – including the Chagos deal.

Just days ago, former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace said in a reply to Defence Minister Luke Pollard on social media: “There isn’t any real defence spending increases other than Treasury tucking under, unfunded bills for Chagos, pay and National Insurance consequences.

“You know it, I know it and the Russians know it. Stop spinning and treating the public like fools.”

Also on the PM’s desk… Keir Starmer faces another resignation blow as Chagos deal architect ‘considering No10 exit’

Sir Keir Starmer’s national security adviser is thought to be weighing up plans to leave Downing Street in yet another blow for the beleaguered Prime Minister.

Jonathan Powell, credited as the architect of the deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, could exit his role by the end of the year.

If Mr Powell should leave, it would mark the fourth blow to Sir Keir following the departures of his Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald, and communications chief Tim Allan in the wake of the Mandelson scandal.

READ THE FULL STORY ON JONATHAN POWELL HERE

PM faces pressure from ALL sides to probe Labour Together ‘smear campaign’ scandal

As well as the Tories’ letter and Stephen Flynn’s “creepy spy” jab, the Prime Minister is facing fury from all angles over the scandal – including his own party.

Left-wing backbencher Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, told The Telegraph that both Labour and the Prime Minister “should now commit to full co-operation with an independent inquiry to establish the facts: what was commissioned, who authorised it, who knew about it, and how far it went”.

Another Labour backbencher demanded an investigation into Mr Simons for allegedly commissioning the research.

“I definitely think there should be an investigation followed by immediate disciplinary action if the facts are verified,” one MP said.

Reform UK’s Nadhim Zahawi said: “This is a huge story. If this was any other party, the calls for an investigation would be deafening.

“We need to know who knew about this inside Labour. Did the PM know?”

‘FULL transparency!’ Kevin Hollinrake issues statement on letter to Labour’s Anna Turley

Kevin Hollinrake, behind the letter to Labour chairwoman Anna Turley, said last night: “Labour Together’s behaviour shows a worrying contempt for the free press, a fundamental foundation of our democracy.

“With its close and widely known links to the heart of Government, serious questions must be answered about who was aware of these actions, including whether senior figures around the Prime Minister knew.

“After Starmer’s attempts to deflect from the Mandelson-Epstein affair, the public will accept nothing less than full transparency.”

Josh Simons says he was ‘shocked and surprised’ after scandal emerged

Josh Simons, the minister at the centre of the row, told The Sunday Times: “I was surprised and shocked to read the report extended beyond the contract by including unnecessary information on (Times journalist) Gabriel Pogrund.

“I asked for this information to be removed before passing the report to GCHQ. No other British journalists were investigated in any document I or Labour Together ever received.”

Alison Phillips, the CEO of Labour Together, wrote to staff saying she was “horrified” by the scandal – and said she had been assured it was “not the intention” to look into reporters.