https://news.sky.com/story/read-wes-streetings-messages-with-mandelson-in-full-13505439
Why were his comms shut down back then? Thought no-one knew until September? Am I getting my dates mixed?
From SkyNews @wesstreeting-mp.bsky.social msg tranche.
link in alt.
Seems it's not sinking in:
UKSV are *not* the last word on vetting for at least the Foreign Office and the Defence Dept.
#Robbins has explained several times. FCDO are the last word. #UKSV are advisory only
Thus he had NO need to disclose UKSV to No. 10
Absolutely correct
@straitofhormuz.bsky.social does anyone ever complain that you're not very straight for a strait?
OMFG I had to go and check that this ACTUALLY happened.
Since when does the BBC ever do chyrons with a political party's branding, rather than their own? Not to mention this is during a pre-election campaign purdah.
(h/t @iainsol.bsky.social)
The following day, on the 29th of January 2025… Notwithstanding the UKSV recommendation that developed vetting clearance should be denied… Foreign Office officials made the decision… To grant developed vetting clearance for Peter Mandelson. https://commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/104501/Pdf?subType=Standard
From todays statement by #Starmer
How was this assent communicated to No. 10? By email? message? signed paper document?
How was it received?
I agree
I may have misheard that, as he hasnt repeated it. Waiting for statement text to be made available.
Mandy was appointed before Trump was inaugurated.
Wondering why he never mentioned the letter from FCDO confirming granting of DV, before today.
This would be a non story if that came out last week.
RIP. I'm continually quoting the Naked Ape when discussing wars and human nature.
"no minister" but was "no. 10" told?
As a supplement to the piece in The Times Literary Supplement (@thetls.bsky.social), www.the-tls.com/regular-feat..., here’s a (rather long!) thread on Shakespeare’s house in the Blackfriars, what we knew, and what we now know, with some links to key documents. (1/20)
@caolanrob.bsky.social reports trashcans filled with shredded documents near ministries while former FM has literally barricaded himself inside
Strands #775
“Shell company”
🔵🔵🟡🔵
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@nytimes.com have mis-spelled the spangram
Today is our first day without federal funding. Our commitment to providing trusted, objective journalism hasn't wavered.
For 50 years, PBS News has helped you understand the world and make informed decisions. This mission drives our work every day, and your support of PBS News makes it possible.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
It's really time for the media to stop reporting what #Trump says.
He's like a child who will spout anything to get out of trouble.
Find another US politician and press them.
A day without hearing Trump is a true blessing!
1000 day Wordle streak
Reached the top rung of the Nerds ladder.
1000 day #Wordle streak.
Wordle 1,762 4/6
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.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Easy to find who lived there in 1911 or 1921.
But I really think this casts a bad light on some radio carbon dating. Not a century earlier. Did the building even exist then?
Get the sanctions lifted.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/14/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-urges-lebanon-to-pull-out-of-talks-with-israel-blockade-of-strait-of-hormuz-begins?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
QED?
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
Can someone tell me how they can achieve this blockade? Are they going to fire...erm...missiles on, say, Chinese/Asian ships?
Do they have battleships in the gulf?
Is Trump declaring war on everyone?
Oh, Nethanyahu really does want the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean coast.
Landlocking the Middle East
#GeorgeRobertson
George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...
Worth reading his history of mis-steps before we take the (repeated) words of this would be defence spender.
Q. Why did Starmer appoint him?
I agree, with Toby Jones & Roger Allam, it must be good?
"Maintains its own national political membership structure."
If the LRC were still operational then would also be banned. Yet it wasn't an issue for Labour itself.
Screenshot of POLITICO London Playbook email, showing Palantir sponsorship
Oh, FGS -
@politico.com is taking sponsorship money from Palantir - running their ads through news updates.
That's absolutely the *last* thing we need in our politics, Palantir going straight for the political-media environment at a time when we need massive scrutiny of their contracts in the UK.
