Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards’ review into Labour Together is being assisted by the Propriety and Ethics Team.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked officials in the Cabinet Office to establish the facts in relation to allegations about the conduct of the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. Following completion of that work, the matter was referred to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk.

The Independent Adviser is independent of government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who has a role in his Department's (a) inquiry into Lord Mandelson, (b) response to the Humble Address and (c) review of Labour Together; and whether anyone has recused themselves from these matters.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

1. The former Cabinet Secretary was asked to review available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a Minister. After an initial review of some documents, the matter was referred to the police. In light of the ongoing criminal investigation that was announced, that review has now been paused. The government is cooperating fully with the police investigation and providing any assistance required.

2. The Cabinet Secretary has asked the Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, to lead on the response to the Humble Address. Staff from across the Cabinet Office are involved in compliance with the Humble Address motion as necessary.

3. The Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics team were asked by the Prime Minister to carry out an exercise to establish the facts in response to allegations made about the conduct of Josh Simons. Following the conclusion of that process, the Prime Minister referred the matter to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and asked for his advice. The Independent Adviser provided advice to the Prime Minister on 27 February.

Civil Servants remain bound by the Civil Service Code at all times, and by their departmental policies on managing conflicts of interest.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards’ investigation into Labour Together and the hon. Member for Makerfield took evidence from third parties.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The work undertaken by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards is set out in his advice to the Prime Minister of 27th February 2026 which is published on gov.uk.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the hon. Member for Makerfield is eligible for a Ministerial severance payment.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

No. Unpaid ministers are not entitled to a severance payment under the terms of the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his response of 23 February 2026, Official Report, Column 29, on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, whether the Independent Adviser will ask (a) PRCA, (b) APCO Worldwide and (b) the journalists who were investigated by APCO/Labour Together to submit evidence.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team to establish the facts in relation to allegations concerning the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. These facts were reported to the Prime Minister, who referred the matter to the independent adviser on Ministerial standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk

As a private company, any questions related to Labour Together are a matter for the board of Labour Together.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is responsible for his Department's review of Labour Together; or whether any Ministers has recused themselves.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team to establish the facts in relation to allegations concerning the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. These facts were reported to the Prime Minister, who referred the matter to the independent adviser on Ministerial standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk

As a private organisation, any questions related to Labour Together are a matter for the board of Labour Together.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) status is and (b) terms of reference are of his Department's review into Labour Together; who commissioned the review; who it will report to; and whether its findings will be published.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team to establish the facts in relation to allegations concerning the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State jointly in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office, Josh Simons MP. These facts were reported to the Prime Minister, who referred the matter to the independent adviser on Ministerial standards. The Independent Adviser’s subsequent advice to the Prime Minister is published on gov.uk

As a private organisation, any questions related to Labour Together are a matter for the board of Labour Together.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 February 2026 on Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review, Official Report, Columns 28 and 29, whether the Independent Adviser will consider the conduct of the hon. Member for Makerfield before he became a Minister.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The advice and the exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and Josh Simons MP are on gov.uk.