Front page of the Metro, headlined ‘Peers pressure’, pictures of the PM, Sir Olly Robbins, and Lords Mandelson and Doyle.
Perhaps letting Prime Ministers choose which people to put in the House of Lords isn’t working out so well:
This might be of interest, especially if you've been despairing at the car crash in Westminster this week.
I'm in, are you? cleanupwestminster.org
…but at least he got a seat in the House of Lords for his trouble.
How Europe’s Retreat From Corporate Transparency is Shielding the Corrupt
www.occrp.org/en/feature/h...
This was back in September of last year:
When The Independent put the claims that Sir Keir had pushed through Lord Mandelson’s appointment despite not clearing MI6 vetting, a spokesperson said: “Vetting done by FCDO in normal way.”
Did you catch Newsnight this week? This from @elliechowns.bsky.social is on the money:
None of these are good scenarios for Starmer. Either there is a culture of fear between No10 and FCDO that overrides national security concerns (1) or No10 overrides national security concerns without telling Starmer (2) or Starmer has lied (3).
🌟 Our Executor Director @suehawley.bsky.social will be joined by the UK’s Anti-Corruption Champion Baroness Margaret Hodge, @duncanhames.bsky.social, @marianizzero.bsky.social and @steffanaquarone.bsky.social in a discussion expertly moderated by @thetimes.com columnist @edwardlucas.bsky.social.
Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes: the former minister said she was not aware at the time that one of her chauffeurs had delivered £100,000 in cash to her, adding that the money had had nothing to do with her.
Last chance to grab a ticket to hear us discuss what’s to be done about dirty money, in Whitehall tomorrow evening:
💸 Dirty money corrodes the rule of law and strengthens authoritarian networks.
Tomorrow (April 14), the National Liberal Club hosts a timely panel on combating illicit finance, featuring @duncanhames.bsky.social and @suehawley.bsky.social.
🎟️ Tickets: members.nlc.org.uk/web/pages/ev...
Who hasn’t fallen foul of US crypto regulators at some time?
If you’re wondering what that even means, the US Department of Justice link below offers a detailed description.
Delo was later pardoned by President Trump.
The arguments these people make against disclosure are so embarrassing and wormish.
Reform, the party backed by a handful of 'tax haven billionaires.' You only have to look across the pond at the US to see where this is going, and how urgent it is for the UK government to address political party funding properly, not partially. From @writesbright.bsky.social
Fossil fuel dependence isn’t just a climate issue; it’s a geopolitical risk. From energy shocks to conflict, the costs are rising.
COP31 must break free from industry influence and restore trust. Our analysis www.transparency.org/en/blog/cop3...
Crypto conflicts, again.
Looking forward to this next week. Some tickets are still available and include a drink from the bar:
It’s ridiculous that any individual can donate millions to any political party. That should stop. Immediately.
@duncanhames.bsky.social @anticorruption.bsky.social
On the 10-year anniversary of the #PanamaPapers, journalists around the world and a Nobel-wining economist share their recollections of how the story unfolded, and how the investigation still resonates today.
Read part three of our anniversary series:
Looking forward to this, some tickets still available (which will also get you drink from the bar):
On the pursuit of illicit stashes of Iran's wealth: you name a jurisdiction where people have earned a lot of money through questionable means, it ends up in London property - @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social tells @washingtonpost.com.
I’m signing an executive order banning California state officials from using insider information to place bets, including in prediction markets.
We will not tolerate this kind of corruption in California.
The penny has dropped. After the Rycroft Review, MPs are calling for caps on more of the big money entering politics.
🚨Gov announces a moratorium on crypto donations and donation caps on overseas voters
These are two positive steps for our democracy.
But as Steve Goodrich highlights, "big money from a UK-based mega-donor poses the same risk to the integrity of our politics as from one based overseas".
More ⤵️
As news slips out from the independent Rycroft Review of foreign financial interference in UK politics, I told Politics Home how - without a donations cap - we are trying to secure the house while the door is left wide open:
Cryptocurrencies pose a major challenge for regulators and law enforcement because of the anonymity they provide to users.
We simply aren’t yet able to safely integrate them into how election campaigns are paid for.
The whole article is fascinating, thanks.
As for other reasons, I would note that they have also reinforced these defences with a cap on donations that comes into effect this summer.
An FOI clampdown would be the perfect signal to officials that they will be even less accountable, and even more able to act for private rather than public interests.
UK considers FOI clampdown as requests soar - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
📺 Donation caps needed to protect our politics
Yesterday @duncanhames.bsky.social made the case to Parliament on why it's time for a donation cap.
Watch below to hear how donation caps are widely used globally and would not stop political parties campaigning effectively ⤵️
Are the "security concerns" mentioned here having a potential future Prime Minister who will say absolutely anything for money? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
