16th Feb 2026 11:28
(Alliance News) - Keir Starmer has denied knowledge of an investigation allegedly paid for by a prominent think tank into journalists reporting on its funding.
The UK prime minister said he "didn't know anything about" the probe, said to have been carried out by PR firm Apco Worldwide after it was hired by Labour Together following stories about the campaign group's failure to declare more than GBP700,000 in donations.
The Sunday Times said Apco was paid GBP36,000 to carry out the investigation in 2023, when the think tank was run by Josh Simons, now Labour MP for Makerfield and a Cabinet Office minister.
The Democracy For Sale newsletter previously published similar allegations.
Asked about the accusations during a visit to a community centre in London on Monday, Starmer confirmed there would be a Cabinet Office investigation into the claims.
"I didn't know anything about this investigation, and it absolutely needs to be looked into, so the Cabinet Office will be establishing the facts," he added.
By Nina Lloyd, Rhiannon James and Will Meakin-Durrant, Press Association
Press Association: News
source: PA
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