Why did Labour Together orchestrate a smear campaign against journalists?

In this episode, The Guardian's Henry Dyer recounts the troubling actions of Labour Together, a think tank closely tied to Keir Starmer's Labour Party. After uncovering undeclared donations to Labour Together back in 2021, Dyer researched the organization, ultimately discovering that in 2023, it had commissioned a corporate intelligence firm to investigate journalists probing into its funding. The investigation led to unfounded claims that journalists were part of a Russian conspiracy.

Dyer explains how Labour Together was formed and evolved after the 2019 general election, when it aimed to position itself favorably within the party post-Corbyn. Significant donations from wealthy individuals began to flow into Labour Together, although these contributions were not reported in accordance with electoral regulations. Dyer's past reports led to some exposure of these financial misdeeds, prompting the Electoral Commission to issue fines against Labour Together for late disclosures.

Fast forward to November 2023, the Sunday Times published a report revealing that Labour Together, under the direction of Josh Simons, had engaged in covert efforts against journalists, alleging without evidence that they were aligned with Russian interests. Dyer elaborates on the smear tactics employed against specific journalists, including baseless character attacks and personal mentions, which appeared aimed at discrediting their reporting. Dyer argues that such aggressive strategies from political entities against the press are dangerous to democratic processes.

The episode culminates in discussions surrounding the implications of these actions for Starmer's leadership and the wider ethics of philanthropy in politics, considering how this saga threatens foundational journalistic integrity and the public trust in political institutions. Dyer emphasizes the obligation of those in power to respond to scrutiny constructively rather than defensively.