Labour thinktank close to Morgan McSweeney ‘paid firm to investigate journalists’

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Jamie GriersonFebruary 6, 2026 at 11:06 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

A thinktank, Labour Together, previously led by Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister's chief of staff, and Josh Simons, now a Cabinet Office minister, is accused of hiring PR firm APCO Worldwide in 2023 to investigate journalists from outlets including The Guardian and The Sunday Times. The investigation allegedly aimed to identify the journalists' sources after the Sunday Times reported on undeclared donations to the thinktank between 2017 and 2020, during McSweeney's tenure. These donations reportedly supported Keir Starmer's leadership campaign. Labour Together had previously been fined for late reporting of donations. The allegations add to existing pressure on McSweeney regarding his role in Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Kim Johnson 40% Peter Mandelson ×250% Downing Street ×250% Democracy for Sale ×360% The Guardian ×360% The Sunday Times ×360% Labour Party ×260% Keir Starmer ×370% Josh Simons ×470% APCO Worldwide ×680% Morgan McSweeney ×890% Labour Together ×1090%

Keywords

journalist investigation 90% labour together 80% morgan mcsweeney 70% apco worldwide 70% political funding 60% keir starmer 60% donation reporting 50% electoral commission 40% peter mandelson 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.60

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Downing Street

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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journalist investigation labour together morgan mcsweeney apco worldwide political funding keir starmer donation reporting electoral commission peter mandelson

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