Surveillance and political intimidation of journalists

Early day motion 2825, tabled 23 February 2026 by Rebecca Long-Bailey (Labour). Signed by 29 members.

That this House recognises the vital importance for press freedom of investigative journalists being able to report the truth without fear or favour, and to protect the identity of their sources; is concerned by media reports that the organisation Labour Together commissioned public relations agency APCO Worldwide to identify the sources of journalists investigating the organisation's funding, and gain what was described as leverage over their reporting; agrees with the National Union of Journalists that such surveillance and political intimidation of journalists is wrong, whether conducted by states or non-state actors; is worried about the apparent ability of commercial organisations marketing and selling services aimed at the surveillance of journalists for the purposes of intimidation; and calls for an independent investigation of the methods employed by Labour Together and its external contractors, and for stricter legislation to prohibit private entities from gathering or purchasing data on journalists for the purpose of identifying sources.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Green 5, Plaid Cymru 4, DUP 1, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Scottish National Party 1, Traditional Unionist Voice 1.