Jenna Corderoy
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
📤 749
📥 42
📝 10
reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Prospect Magazine
3 days ago
In the latest episode of Media Confidential
Alan Rusbridger
and
@lionelbarber.bsky.social
chat to
Peter Geoghegan
about lawsuits being used by the wealthy to silence and intimidate critics
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Peter Geoghegan on getting SLAPP’d: ‘It had a huge chilling effect’
The wealthy are using lawsuits to silence critics. Why does the government seem so reluctant to tackle them?
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/media-confidential/73670/peter-geoghegan-on-getting-slappd-it-had-a-huge-chilling-effect
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
George Greenwood
4 days ago
In his latest political intervention Blair continues to flag his dislike of transparency, as pushed famously in his autobiography. State transparency doesn't prevent efficacy. It enables it, cutting waste and allowing us to identify what is going wrong before it blows up.
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Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
8 days ago
I should add that this vital story - about a company and an issue that most of Britain’s media is chasing - was broken on a v small investigative website’s newsletter. The power of independent media! Do support Democracy for Sale if you can 😊
democracyforsale.substack.com/subscribe
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Good Law Project
11 days ago
“‘These are not disinterested stakeholders,’ he said. ‘Let’s not forget this is pretty lucrative stuff for them.’” Democracy for Sale on the impact of SLAPPs – and the media law lobby that’s stymied efforts to legislate against them:
https://bit.ly/4v0Iz4h
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How lawyers to the super-rich strangled Labour's Slapp bill
Exclusive: A discreet lobbying campaign by lawyers who have acted for oligarchs and the super-rich told government that reforming England's libel laws was too difficult.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyers-to-the-super-rich-strangled
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Spotlight on Corruption
11 days ago
1) 💥 NEW: It's very encouraging to hear the Justice Secretary David Lammy recommit to tackling SLAPPs – abusive legal tactics used by the rich and powerful to silence critics – but much more urgency is needed in delivering on this promise. 🧵
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Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
12 days ago
🔴 NEW: Justice secretary David Lammy has told Parliament the government will "bring forward legislation" to tackle Slapps - abusive lawsuits used by oligarchs and the super-rich. Comments come in response to Democracy for Sale's recent investigation:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/we-investi...
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We investigated London's libel lawyers - here’s what happened next
Our revelations prompted a promise today from David Lammy to
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/we-investigated-londons-libel-lawyers-david-lammy-promises-bring-forward-slapps-legislation
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
The Centre for Investigative Journalism
13 days ago
On the SLAPP trap, legal intimidation, and our alumnus Cormac Kehoe: great piece by
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
and Jenna Corderoy in the New Statesman
www.newstatesman.com/investigatio...
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The Slapp trap
As media lawyers battle to keep Britain’s libel industry lucrative, hopes for reform are fading
https://www.newstatesman.com/investigation/2026/05/the-slapp-trap
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Spotlight on Corruption
16 days ago
Disappointed that
#KingsSpeech
said nothing about SLAPPs, which enable the powerful to stymy activists & stop journalists publishing stories in the public interest. The legal sector has successfully lobbied to sink efforts to legislate, for now. Excellent piece in the
@newstatesman1913.bsky.social
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The Slapp trap
As media lawyers battle to keep Britain’s libel industry lucrative, hopes for reform are fading
https://www.newstatesman.com/investigation/2026/05/the-slapp-trap
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Isabelle Roughol
16 days ago
This is the one piece you need to read to understand where we are with libel lawfare in London. You'll learn tons and chew on delightful phrases like "myriad well-heeled Britons" and "a charabanc of colourful characters". This is art.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyer...
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Dan Neidle
16 days ago
Why do we still have oppressive defamation laws? Because of highly effective lobbying by a handful of libel lawyers, and a Government that broke its promise to act. Important investigation from Peter Geoghegan and Jenna Corderoy:
www.newstatesman.com/investigatio...
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The Slapp trap
As media lawyers battle to keep Britain’s libel industry lucrative, hopes for reform are fading
https://www.newstatesman.com/investigation/2026/05/the-slapp-trap
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Cormac Kehoe
16 days ago
A remarkable lament of Labour's failure to reform UK libel laws by
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
&
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
in the NS this morn. It details the genesis of the law from Postwar era to Londongrad, up until my own &
@londonermag.bsky.social
case today
newstatesman.com/investigatio...
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Index on Censorship
16 days ago
Don’t miss the ground breaking investigation by
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
and
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
exposing how lawyers for the ultra-rich derailed Labour’s plans to tackle SLAPPs.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyer...
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How lawyers to the super-rich strangled Labour's Slapp bill
Exclusive: A discreet lobbying campaign by lawyers who have acted for oligarchs and the super-rich told government that reforming England's libel laws was too difficult.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyers-to-the-super-rich-strangled
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
16 days ago
This investigation took months of work, hundreds of pages of FOI documents and conversations with so many different sources. If you value this kind of reporting, please subscribe to Democracy for Sale. We can only do it because of our readers. 😀
democracyforsale.substack.com/subscribe
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Subscribe to Democracy for Sale
A newsletter dedicated to revealing how dark money and hidden influence threaten our democracy. Click to read Democracy for Sale, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/subscribe
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
16 days ago
Our investigation - a Democracy for Sale co-production with
@newstatesman1913.bsky.social
by me and
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
- is already prompting cross-party calls for libel reform.
www.newstatesman.com/investigatio...
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The Slapp trap
As media lawyers battle to keep Britain’s libel industry lucrative, hopes for reform are fading
https://www.newstatesman.com/investigation/2026/05/the-slapp-trap
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
16 days ago
🔴 Keir Starmer promised to crackdown on "Slapps" - abusive libel cases to silence journalists and critics Then Labour quietly dropped it We can reveal why: a three-year lobbying blitz by libel lawyers who've acted for Russian oligarchs, Epstein + more
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyer...
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How lawyers to the super-rich strangled Labour's Slapp bill
Exclusive: A discreet lobbying campaign by lawyers who have acted for oligarchs and the super-rich told government that reforming England's libel laws was too difficult.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyers-to-the-super-rich-strangled
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Fantastic news! Very proud of Peter
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
about 1 month ago
🔴 SCOOP: Remember Labour Together paid PR firm APCO £36,000 to investigate journalists? Now the firm has been reported to Serious Fraud Office + senior APCO executive told a freelance contractor to destroy evidence of Labour Together work NEW on D4S:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labour-tog...
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Labour Together PR firm tried to destroy crucial evidence
Controversial firm reported to Serious Fraud Office after senior executive ordered deletion of evidence of Labour Together’s smear campaign against journalists
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labour-together-pr-firm-tried-to-destroy-evidence
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Press Gazette
2 months ago
Investigative journalism Substack outlet Democracy for Sale has passed 50,000 subscribers, of whom about 1,650 are paying supporters. It has launched a membership drive to get to 2,000 paying subscribers by the end of April
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/weve-reach...
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We've reached an incredible milestone. Will you help us reach the next one?
50,000 readers! Now we need 350 of you so we can do even more.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/weve-reached-an-incredible-milestone
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
2 months ago
Some good news 🎉 Democracy for Sale now passed 50,000 subscribers To celebrate we’ve launched a fundraising drive Can you help us do even more hard hitting independent investigative journalism? 😊
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/weve-reach...
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We've reached an incredible milestone. Will you help us reach the next one?
50,000 readers! Now we need 350 of you so we can do even more.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/weve-reached-an-incredible-milestone
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
2 months ago
Weakening Freedom of Information is an attack on all our civil liberties, and a clear case of democratic backsliding This needs to be fought, hard - which is exactly what Democracy for Sale will do For shame on Labour
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
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UK considers FOI clampdown as requests soar
Moves to tighten system likely to be met with resistance from campaigners
https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/521e9bb2-2c50-40bc-aecb-10727d0464d5
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
2 months ago
In yesterday's FT anonymous government officials talked of need to 'tighten' to FOI to stop China (!?!) The real story, though, is how much govt spending on legal fees to fight FOI requesters in court Campaigners, citizens, journalists all paying price
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/government...
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Government spent over £1m on court cases to keep information secret
Whitehall departments spent seven-figure sum on legal fees to fight Freedom of Information requests
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/government-spent-over-1m-on-secrecy-freedom-of-information
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
George Greenwood
2 months ago
Make no mistake that any weakening of FOI is an attack on all of our civil liberties, and would be a clear example of democratic backsliding. It is clear that the government is now seriously considering an attack on your right to know.
www.ft.com/content/2c34...
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UK considers FOI clampdown as requests soar
Moves to tighten system likely to be met with resistance from campaigners
https://www.ft.com/content/2c34adca-1af3-41b9-a1b2-ccd1b8dac72e
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
3 months ago
Should add, do support Democracy for Sale if you can! Thanks!
democracyforsale.substack.com/subscribe
loading . . .
Subscribe to Democracy for Sale
A newsletter dedicated to revealing how dark money and hidden influence threaten our democracy. Click to read Democracy for Sale, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/subscribe
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35
10
reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
3 months ago
Wow. Josh Simons has resigned as govt minister Follows weeks of reporting by Democracy for Sale and others about how he paid PR firm to smear journalists investigating Labour Together Huge thanks to all our supporters. Couldn’t have done it without you
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-al...
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Wife of Starmer’s comms chief had direct knowledge of Labour Together’s investigation into journalists
Tory and SNP chiefs call for Labour minister Simons to ‘come clean’ as we reveal new details of PR firm’s campaign to discredit journalists
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-ally-josh-simons-apco-labour-together-journalists
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
4 months ago
The Elections Bill is really very thin on political finance. Some loopholes closed, some warm words, but still unlimited political donations. That's why we're working with
@38degrees.bsky.social
to call for a cap on donations Please sign and share:
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...
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Take Big Money Out of Our Politics
British politics is awash with money from super rich donors. In 2023, two-thirds of all private donations came from just 19 people. These so-called ‘mega donors’ enjoy privileged access to political p...
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/take-big-money-out-of-our-politics
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
4 months ago
Great to hear a Democracy for Sale story on heads of news on Today on Radio 4 Also very good to see a proper credit for us - as an ‘investigative website’ not ‘a Substack’ - high up in the story
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Cabinet office minister used PR firm to investigate journalists' sources
Cabinet office minister Josh Simons commissioned APCO Worldwide for the investigation in 2023.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4ykww4d7o
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
4 months ago
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted *And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
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BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-morgan-mcsweeneys-labour-together-investigators-journalists
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
6 months ago
WOW c 10k people have now watched Democracy for Sale's video about our new undercover investigation, with Led By Donkeys. An ex-Tory MP introduced our fake Chinese AI investor into MPs and ministers - and all for just £5k! 😱 Watch the video here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKof...
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We went undercover to buy access to MPs
YouTube video by Democracy for Sale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKofLc2lDZk
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Jenna Corderoy
Led By Donkeys
6 months ago
Our latest investigation, in collaboration with Democracy for Sale 👇
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-o...
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BREAKING: Our fake Chinese AI investor bought access into heart of Labour government
Ex-Tory MP facilitated meetings with 10+ Labour MPs and met ministers in “cash-for-access operation”
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-our-fake-chinese-ai-investor
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
6 months ago
🔴 BREAKING: Our fake Chinese AI investor bought access to 10+ Labour MPs and minister Brand new investigation by Democracy for Sale and Led By Donkeys.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-o...
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BREAKING: Our fake Chinese AI investor bought access into heart of Labour government
Ex-Tory MP facilitated meetings with 10+ Labour MPs and met ministers in “cash-for-access operation”
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-our-fake-chinese-ai-investor
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
6 months ago
Democracy for Sale’s first ever Christmas party - and of course it starts with a panel discussion about Freedom of Information 🥳😬 Great panel with
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
@alexgoodmankc.bsky.social
Heather Brooke and more. And so much to see so many D4S friends in the audience
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Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
6 months ago
🔴"FOI is the democratic canary in the coal mine. When official information flows freely, it signals that power is shared. When it’s withheld or delayed, it signals the opposite: power concentrated in the few." Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
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The British state is addicted to secrecy - we need to fight back
Our politicians and officials are using public money to keep citizens in the dark, says Heather Brooke
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-british-government-is-addicted-to-secrecy-freedom-of-information
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Really looking forward to speaking at this FOI event on 2nd December at City University. Register to attend!:
www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve...
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FOI at 25: Successes, Setbacks and the Road Ahead | City St George's, University of London
The Centre for Journalism & Democracy and The City Law School mark the 25th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act.
https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/2025/december/foi-at-25-successes-setbacks-and-the-road-ahead
6 months ago
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
9 months ago
At Institute for Government in London for an event on the Freedom of Information Act at 25. My Democracy for Sale colleague
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
rightly stressing that FOI responses are at an all time low. So much prevarication from government departments in particular
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
10 months ago
Insane lengths the government goes to to fight transparency. Great to have Lucas Amin
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
and
@jennacorderoy.bsky.social
fighting back. The Cabinet Office refused, claiming disclosure could harm “the effective conduct of public affairs.” - Ridiculous.
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Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
10 months ago
This is going to be a really, really good discussion on Freedom of Information - get along if you can!
add a skeleton here at some point
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Jenna Corderoy
Looking forward to speaking at the Institute for Government's panel discussion on the Freedom of Information Act. Registration details for the September event are here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...
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The Freedom of Information Act at 25: What next for freedom of information? | Institute for Government
The event includes proposals and discussion about how the Freedom of Information system can improve for the future.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-act-25-what-next-freedom-information
10 months ago
0
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Looking forward to speaking at the Institute for Government's panel discussion on the Freedom of Information Act. Registration details for the September event are here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...
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The Freedom of Information Act at 25: What next for freedom of information? | Institute for Government
The event includes proposals and discussion about how the Freedom of Information system can improve for the future.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-act-25-what-next-freedom-information
10 months ago
0
5
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Phil Brickell MP
11 months ago
After 14 years of Tory failure to clean up our politics, it's time for Labour to deliver. We urgently need an elections bill to close the glaring loopholes in our donation rules.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
11 months ago
An Elections Bill is expected very soon. This is a test for Starmer’s government: will it close the loopholes — or let dark money shape the next election too? If you want more fearless, independent journalism that follows the money — support Democracy for Sale today:
democracyforsale.substack.com
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Democracy for Sale | Peter Geoghegan | Substack
A newsletter dedicated to revealing how dark money and hidden influence threaten our democracy. Click to read Democracy for Sale, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/
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So thrilled about this - such a pleasure to work with
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
and
@lucasamin.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
11 months ago
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Important piece from
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-ha...
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Starmer has broken his promise to end sleaze
After a year in power, Labour’s listlessness on corruption risks eroding democracy further
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/starmer-has-broken-his-promise-sleaze-corruption
11 months ago
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Incredibly proud of
@petergeoghegan.bsky.social
and
@lucasamin.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
about 1 year ago
Now live on Democracy for Sale with
@seththevoz.bsky.social
talking about who funds Reform!
democracyforsale.substack.com/live-stream/...
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LIVE NOW: Who Funds Reform with Seth Thevoz
Peter Geoghegan on Substack
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/live-stream/28859?utm_campaign=substack_profile&utm_medium=web&fromPub=true
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
about 1 year ago
🔴 Whitehall departments responded in full to just 29% of Freedom of Information requests in 2024 - an all time low A Labour MP calls on government ‘to put an end to the culture of obfuscation’
open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
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Government transparency hits new record low – again
Labour MP calls on government to “put an end to the culture of obfuscation” as FOI response rates drop to lowest ever
https://open.substack.com/pub/democracyforsale/p/government-transparency-hits-new?r=4vze6&utm_medium=ios
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Jenna Corderoy
The Empty City
about 1 year ago
Lovely piece about how the government sought to misuse FoI law, and how the government was defeated. Enjoy the story.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Jenna Corderoy
Peter Geoghegan
about 1 year ago
🔴 Remember Aria, the “moonshot" research agency dreamed up by Dominic Cummings? It's funded by £800m in public money but exempt from FOI laws We decided to fight for transparency... and we won 🎉 New on Democracy for Sale w/
@lucasamin.bsky.social
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/dominic-cu...
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Democracy for Sale 1, Dominic Cummings 0
We fought to expose the £800m research agency that Cummings built to escape scrutiny - and we won.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/dominic-cummings-aria-secrecy-freedom-of-information
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Jenna Corderoy
Good Law Project
about 1 year ago
“It is absolutely disgraceful – strong language that accurately reflects the culpability of the Department – for the Cabinet Office to continue to refuse to come clean about who Gove and other ministers were lobbied by” –
@jolyonmaugham.bsky.social
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/reform-uk-...
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Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy’s firm was put in Covid ‘VIP lane’
Exclusive: Candy’s personal company among previously undisclosed Tory-linked businesses and individuals placed in controversial PPE VIP lane.
https://democracyforsale.substack.com/p/reform-uk-treasurer-nick-candys-firm-vip-lane-covid
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