“When I was [at the BBC], at the height of Boris Johnson’s strength, that fear was ubiquitous. Scripts were sometimes written with a view not solely to their impartiality or truth, but the management of perception of impartiality from one side of the spectrum.“ @lewisgoodall.com

The full tawdry terrible story of appeasement, in all its detail, in which literally every moment is an echo of today.

The Wheel of Time deserves a Season 4 as it has just hit its stride, and is about to get spicy!

While it’s not been the best week on the global stage- it’s been the beginning of spring in London.

Byline Times, "Donald Trump Was Recruited by the KGB Under Codename ‘Krasnov’ Claims Former Soviet Spy Chief" bylinetimes.com/2025/02/21/d...

This would be completely illegal. But you wouldn’t know that from reading this post, the headline, or the lede. Unbelievably bad.

A former Soviet intelligence officer has claimed Donald Trump was recruited by the KGB in 1987 and given the codename "Krasnov" Who would have guessed www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news...

There's a rumour that Nigel Farage is keeping his head down because he's off to a Trump cheerleading conference over the weekend. I’m afraid I’m being proved right- Farage is far more interested in Trump's success than British security. He is a bootlicker and a plastic patriot.

So @chrischirp.bsky.social is logging Trump's actions under data categories derived from the typical behaviour of authoritarian states as part of an ongoing project. The conclusions are naturally alarming. open.substack.com/pub/christin...

A brilliant piece of diplomatic theatre today. After Russian drones again violated Moldova’s airspace & exploded close to populated areas, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry. As he entered the meeting, he was confronted with parts of the exploded drones. (🎥 IPN, Moldova)

Given Trump likes to portray himself as a hard man in a deal, this reveals which side he's on: Russia's.

This is an utterly chilling investigation exposing the warped minds behind far-right extremism in Britain.

New post just out: "Technology vs Democracy" On the origins of Muskworld's ideology, which it's so much more dangerous than merely stupidity or corruption, and what might stop it. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...

What you are seeing this morning over the refugee decision is Labour alienating and offending its remaining liberal supporters without bringing any new voters onside.

USAID’s website has been deleted, all that is left is a note saying all personnel are now on administrative leave and personnel outside the US are to be brought home. Completely illegal, no act of congress or even executive order was signed to dismantle the agency

Very sad. The Ye Olde Swiss Cottage that literally gave Swiss Cottage its name shuts on Saturday forevermore.

I think we should take this story from the Times today (and picked up by many other outlets) with an enormous pinch of salt for two reason (mini thread): www.thetimes.com/uk/media/art...

They’re saying the quiet bit out loud.

Nice to hear Bridget Phillipson losing her temper over the Conservatives’ politicisation of victims’ suffering.

Some people in recent days have alleged a ‘cover-up’ over the grooming & rape of hundreds of young girls in predominantly northern UK towns, leading to calls for a ‘national’ public inquiry into child sexual exploitation FWIW here’s a non-exhaustive list of inquiries into #CSE in last 12 yrs…

Sterling close to its highest value against the Euro since the Brexit referendum. Markets appear to be rewarding the prospect of long term British political stability. Not something you’ve been able to say for a while.

London’s sunrise on a crisp winter’s morning over Tower Bridge- always a pleasure.

Newish breakfast place in Borough Market- Café François. Very good egg- and toast that’s actually toasted not merely been lightly glowed at. Proper crispy bacon.

Nothing quite like a cloudy late autumnal Saturday in a classic pub. Learning about Horace Jones, architect of Tower Bridge.

So, if we start posting here, do you PROMISE to like, reshare and reply to every post?