Why Josh Simons Resigned From Government

On 28 March 2026, BBC Sounds aired an exclusive interview with Josh Simons, who recently stepped down from his role as a government minister. The conversation, lasting 49 minutes, was conducted by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell, and it delves into the reasons behind his resignation. Simons reflected on his time in politics, acknowledging his own ‘naive’ approach and expressing regret for his actions.

Previously, Simons led Labour Together, a think tank that recently commissioned a report examining the backgrounds of journalists following the Sunday Times’ coverage of them. The inquiry highlighted potential conflicts of interest and raised questions about media influence. His career also included several years at Meta, where he contributed to discussions on digital platforms and online safety.

He was ‘so sorry’ for the decisions he made, admitting that his initial understanding of the issues was limited.

Simons also testified in a significant social media addiction trial, which Meta and YouTube lost this week. The case brought attention to the broader implications of online safety policies. The interview covers his resignation, the state of Labour Party dynamics, and the challenges facing digital regulation.

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Production Team

The episode was produced by Chris Flynn and Chloe Scannapieco. Social media production was handled by Gabriel Purcell-Davis, while Stephen Bailey managed the technical aspects. Chris Gray served as assistant editor, and Sam Bonham was the senior news editor.

Special thanks to the BBC Breakfast team in Salford for allowing the use of their studio—Stephen Maziere, Simon Plumb, and Ronan Malloy.