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A report investigating the background of a Sunday Times journalist was commissioned by a Labour group involved in Sir Keir Starmer’s rise as Labour leader, according to information obtained by the BBC. The Labour-affiliated organisation Labour Together paid APCO Worldwide a sum exceeding £30,000 to examine the origins, funding, and sources related to a story concerning undeclared donations to a think tank prior to the general election.
The investigation, known internally as “Operation Cannon,” included details about the personal and religious background of Gabriel Pogrund, the journalist behind the article, along with aspects of his upbringing and relationships. Sources revealed that the US-based public affairs firm’s report contained references to Pogrund’s Jewish faith and made claims about his ideological stance. Additionally, the document suggested that some of Pogrund’s earlier reporting, specifically on the royal family, might be interpreted as undermining UK interests and aligning with Russia’s strategic foreign policy objectives.
Gabriel Pogrund, currently serving as the Sunday Times Whitehall editor and a recipient of multiple awards including Political Journalist of the Year and News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Press Awards, was the focal point of these findings. The report was reportedly compiled by a former Sunday Times employee who now works for APCO Worldwide. At the time of commissioning the report, the head of Labour Together was Josh Simons, who has since become a Cabinet Office minister.
When asked about the situation, Simons expressed surprise at the extent of the report, stating, “I was surprised and shocked to read the report extended beyond the contract by including unnecessary information on Gabriel Pogrund. I asked for this information to be removed before passing the report to GCHQ.” A redacted version, omitting details about Pogrund, was reportedly sent to the National Cyber Security Centre due to concerns about an alleged illegal hack. Simons assured that the report had not been shared beyond Labour Together. Alison Phillips, the current CEO of Labour Together who joined after the commissioning of the report, emphasised a commitment to high standards of probity and expressed readiness to cooperate with a review by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and relevant bodies.
The story has sparked unease among some Labour MPs. Karl Turner, Labour MP for East Hull, called for the prime minister to investigate the matter, commenting on social media, “Plausible deniability is only plausible until it isn’t.” John McDonnell, who was previously shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn and secretary of the National Union of Journalists’ Parliamentary Group, pushed for an independent inquiry. He described the issue as “unacceptable” if the claims were true
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