Cabinet Office looking into Starmer-linked thinktank after it investigated journalists

The research was paid for and subsequently reviewed by Josh Simons, according to sources and documents seen by the Guardian. Photograph: Labour Together

The Cabinet Office is examining the commissioning of a report that made false claims about journalists who were investigating Labour Together, the thinktank closely linked to Keir Starmer, a cabinet minister has said.

Liz Kendall, the science and technology secretary, indicated it would not be a formal inquiry, as demanded by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs, noting that the trade association for the PR industry was carrying out such an investigation.