Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review

Lincoln Jopp Excerpts

Monday 23rd February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Darren Jones]

I think the hon. Lady might be slightly confused.

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

Why don’t you mansplain it to her?

[Darren Jones]

I will happily mansplain it to the hon. Gentleman, if I may say so!

The independent adviser is independent, and the proper process will be followed. I remind the House that the reason that the process exists and that the ethics adviser is independent is that the previous Administration repeatedly failed to deal with ethics issues properly. The referral to the independent adviser has been done promptly, following fact finding, and he will report in due course.

--- Later in debate ---

[Darren Jones]

The Electoral Commission has looked at some of these issues and fined Labour Together for previous errors, but other than that investigation, I am not aware of any accusations of illegal or improper donations to Labour Together or other organisations. As I said, it is important that the Government investigate matters that relate to the Government and ministerial appointments, but questions for Labour Together as a private organisation are questions for its board.

[Lincoln Jopp]

As of today, what services—if any—is Labour Together providing either to the Labour party or to the Government?

[Darren Jones]

I can only speak on behalf of the Government; as far as I am aware, it is not providing any services.