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Starmer under fire over Labour think tank probe into journalists

Starmer quizzed on whether political turmoil at home will distract from European commitment

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to launch an inquiry into Labour Together, a think tank that helped him become party leader, over its reported investigation into journalists.
The think tank allegedly paid PR consultancy Apco £36,000 in 2023 for a report that contained "deeply personal and false claims" about journalist Gabriel Pogrund, including his Jewish background.
Government minister Josh Simons commissioned the 2023 report, which was informally shared with Labour figures, including cabinet ministers, in 2024.
The Conservative Party has urged Labour to investigate Mr Simons's role and that of other Labour Together directors, calling for the party to suspend all engagement with the think tank.
Senior Labour figures, including former chancellor John McDonnell and MP Karl Turner, have also called for an independent inquiry into the affair, with Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty supporting a probe.