Lobbyist hired by thinktank accused of investigating Guardian reporter

"Tom Harper, a senior director at the US public affairs company Apco, was the author of a 58-page report examining the journalists behind a 2023 Sunday Times story about undisclosed donations to Labour Together, the thinktank that was instrumental in Keir Starmer's Labour leadership victory. His report, which was commissioned by the thinkthank, claimed without evidence that the story was based on data hacked from the Electoral Commission, which it linked to Russia."

"The report also examined the religious and ideological positions of some of the journalists and sources involved. According to the Sunday Times, Harper has since been examining Henry Dyer, an investigations correspondent at the Guardian, who has been reporting on the revelations. It said Harper had been making inquiries about Dyer as recently as last week, suggesting without any evidence he could have been part of a wider pro-Russia campaign."

"Apco was contacted for comment. It is already being investigated by the standards committee of the Public Relations and Communications Association, a trade body for the PR industry, over its research into journalists. The political fallout over Labour Together's decision to commission the research is also continuing. Josh Simons, now a Cabinet Office minister, was director of Labour Together when it paid Apco 36,000 to investigate the sourcing, funding and origin behind the story examining its political donations."

A senior Apco director authored a 58-page report probing journalists behind a Sunday Times story about undisclosed donations to Labour Together. The report claimed without evidence that the story was based on Electoral Commission data hacked and linked the leak to Russia. The research examined the religious and ideological positions of some journalists and sources. Harper reportedly made inquiries about Guardian investigations correspondent Henry Dyer, suggesting without evidence he could have been part of a pro-Russia campaign. Apco is under investigation by the PRCA standards committee. Labour Together’s payment to Apco has triggered political fallout, ethics probes, and calls for ministerial dismissal.

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