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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Juliet Swann @muteswann.bsky.social · 7h

Planning your time at #SNP25? Join us to talk secret land owners and discuss how to open up land registers at 5pm tomorrow.

www.transparency.org.uk/events/can-y...

Image is a flyer for the event - full details in the link

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Daniel Bruce @danieljbruce.bsky.social · 7h

“There appear to be very few levers the government has available to recover anything close to the £122m…. The whole case stands as a further indictment of the ‘VIP lane’ & the flawed, wasteful procurement of PPE during the pandemic.”

@transparencyuk.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

Will UK taxpayers get their £122m back from PPE Medpro?

The high court told the company linked to Michelle Mone to pay up over the supply of defective gowns, but there appears no clear route to reclaim the funds

www.theguardian.com

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 1d

If the former PM is really needed in support of Ukraine, it would be far better that he conduct business as an envoy of the UK government, instead of alongside his most generous and private donor.

Tom Burgis @tomburgis.bsky.social · 1d

*EXCLUSIVE* The Guardian investigations team's Boris Files have revealed the former prime minister’s money-making ventures from Caracas to Saudi Arabia. Today we ask a new question: Why did Boris Johnson take the man who gave him £1m to Ukraine? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The £1m man: Why did Boris Johnson take his donor to Ukraine?

Exclusive: Leaked files offer a glimpse of the ex-prime minister’s relationship with Christopher Harborne

www.theguardian.com

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 1d

ACOBA’ Will soon be gone. It was never a ‘watchdog’. The whole edifice is one huge raft of gentlemen’s agreements, which no-one manages to hold them to.

BBC: Sunak joins Microsoft and AI firm as paid adviser www.bbc.com/news/article...

Rishi Sunak hired by Microsoft and Anthropic as paid adviser

The former prime minister has been told not to lobby the UK government by the appointments watchdog.

www.bbc.com

Reposted by Duncan Hames

UK Anti-Corruption Coalition @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org · 2d

🚨🚂 Heading to the the SNP conference this weekend?

Join us at "Can You Keep A Secret?" 🤫🔐

🗓️ Sunday October 12 | 5pm | The Events Complex Aberdeen

➡️ Featuring @emmaharpermsp.bsky.social, Juliet Swann and @margotmollat.bsky.social of @transparencyuk.bsky.social, @theferret.scot's Jamie Mann.

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 4d

At the global summit for the Open Government Partnership we are welcoming new members including Britain’s @mayorofgm.bsky.social:

Duncan Hames pictured in a busy auditorium at the start of the Open Government Summit.

Welcome to OGP new local members including in the United Kingdom: Greater Manchester.

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 6d

MPs are supposed to report potential conflicts of interest between their official duties and private financial affairs.
These are rules, not discretionary gestures towards openness.

Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 6d

Exclusive: Nigel Farage has not updated his register since May, despite continuing to present his GB News show, record Cameo videos and being a verified X user

Qus are now being asked about the non-registration of his shareholding in GB parent co All Perspectives

observer.co.uk/news/politic...

‘Nine-jobs Nigel’ Farage denies not declaring extra earni...

Roles outside Parliament make Reform leader the highest-earning MP, but register of interests has not been updated since end of May

observer.co.uk

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 6d

MPs are supposed to report potential conflicts of interest between their official duties and private financial affairs.
These are rules, not discretionary gestures towards openness.

Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 6d

Exclusive: Nigel Farage has not updated his register since May, despite continuing to present his GB News show, record Cameo videos and being a verified X user

Qus are now being asked about the non-registration of his shareholding in GB parent co All Perspectives

observer.co.uk/news/politic...

‘Nine-jobs Nigel’ Farage denies not declaring extra earni...

Roles outside Parliament make Reform leader the highest-earning MP, but register of interests has not been updated since end of May

observer.co.uk

5 23 34

Reposted by Duncan Hames

Spotlight on Corruption @spotlightcorruption.org · 12d

🔥 EVENT: "Who Pays, Who Decides? Big Money in British Politics"
Our executive director @suehawley.bsky.social joins Baroness Hodge, @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @duncanhames.bsky.social, &
@edhodgsoned.bsky.social on the panel for this crucial discussion at 4.30pm today.
Check out the details below 👇

Transparency International UK x Spotlight on Corruption x More In Common: Who Pays, Who Decides? Big Money in British Politics — UK Anti-Corruption Coalition

Join us to discuss the corrupting influence of money from home and abroad on our democracy. Drawing on new public opinion insights, this panel will discuss what must be done to stop the rise of mega d...

ukanticorruptioncoalition.org

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 13d

Ex-leader of Reform in Wales admits taking bribes in return for pro-Russia messages - on.ft.com/42IFFFA

What a patriot.

Ex-leader of Reform in Wales admits taking bribes in return for pro-Russia messages

Nathan Gill pleads guilty to receiving payment for making statements in European parliament about events in Ukraine

on.ft.com

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 13d

Arriving in Liverpool for the Labour Party conference, armed with @spotlightcorruption.org and @transparencyuk.bsky.social polling that shows Reform voters back independence for the Electoral Commission, (even if their man Arron Banks says he wants it scrapped).

UK government urged to restore Electoral Commission’s independence to protect democracy

Oversight of watchdog could be abused by a future authoritarian government, report warns

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 14d

From my prison cell in Georgia, I implore Europe not to abandon us to Russia | Mzia Amaglobeli

My fellow journalists are putting their lives in danger every day, but we refuse to surrender to a regime that threatens Europe’s own security, says imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 15d

🚨 NEW 🚨

Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to eight bribery charges while an elected member of the European parliament.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Reform UK’s ex-leader in Wales Nathan Gill pleads guilty to bribery charges

Gill admits to eight charges while an elected member of the European parliament

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 14d

this is an extraordinary canary in the coal mine

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 15d

Nathan Gill, Reform's leader in Wales at the last Welsh parliament election, has pled guilty to 8 bribery charges, taking Russian cash while he was one of Nigel Farage’s MEPs to speak in favour of Putin's Russia in that parliament
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Reform UK’s ex-leader in Wales Nathan Gill pleads guilty to bribery charges

Gill admits to eight counts of bribery relating to pro-Russia statements made in the European parliament and articles

www.theguardian.com

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 14d

I rather think Polly Toynbee has a point here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

To revive Labour, Starmer should go to conference with this pledge: we will clean politics of sleaze | Polly Toynbee

Another donations controversy, and another chance for the PM to draw the line – and stem the flow of dubious money into Westminster, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax @appgonacrt.bsky.social · 15d

👏 We welcome David Lammy's confirmation that the UK will host an Illicit Finance Summit in 2026.

This is a vital opportunity to strengthen the global fight against kleptocracy — from tackling the networks that enable Russian oligarchs, to ensuring beneficial ownership transparency.

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 15d

I often find people who like to think is doesn’t happen here…that money in politics is harmless. I have news for you:

Ex-Reform politician admits Russia-linked bribery charges www.bbc.com/news/article...

Ex-Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill pleads guilty to bribery charges

Nathan Gill admits eight charges of bribery while being a Member of the European Parliament.

www.bbc.com

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 15d

So very sad that Ming has gone.
He served with character and wisdom, was kind and so generous with his time for a youngster like me with much to learn. Yet, as a parliamentary intern, I still couldn’t keep up with him on the staircase of 1 Parliament Street when the division bell was ringing!

Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · 15d

Ming Campbell was a dedicated public servant and a true Liberal giant.

His principled leadership opposing the Iraq War was a mark of his morality, courage and wisdom.

But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague.

We will miss him terribly.

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 15d

Good to see the Deputy PM, David Lammy, promote the UK government's work on illicit finance at the UN General Assembly.
"...we can crack down on illicit finance, a fight we will lead at a UK-hosted summit next year.” www.youtube.com/live/-8k_z0O...

Deputy PM David Lammy delivers address to UN General Assembly 2025 | Watch in full

YouTube video by Sky News

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 17d

Heading to Labour Party Conference this weekend?

Join our Director of Policy, @duncanhames.bsky.social, @liambyrnemp.bsky.social, @suehawley.bsky.social, @edhodgsoned.bsky.social and Baroness Hodge for "Who pays, who decides? Big money in British politics".

www.transparency.org.uk/events/who-p...

Who pays, who decides? Big money in British politics

Join Transparency International UK at Labour Party Conference

www.transparency.org.uk

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 19d

Deserving 5-star review of @itvx.com documentary last night, The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money. Catch it on the ITV player when you get home tonight: www.itv.com/watch/the-co...

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 19d

The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money review – a devastating picture of the biggest spending scandal ever

This rigorous look at the Tories’ ‘VIP lane’ for PPE suppliers during Covid raises questions about the motivations of those involved – ones that are almost too disgusting to contemplate

www.theguardian.com

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 19d

Telling officials that reporting rules don't apply to you, doesn't sit easily with claims it was just an 'administrative oversight'.
Good to see @electoralcommission.org.uk pursued this to the point of sanctions, and that Labour Together since 2021 have sought to fully comply with the rules.

Morgan McSweeney under pressure as book revives donations scandal

The Fraud raises questions about Labour Together and its failure to declare thousands in contributions

www.thetimes.com

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Reposted by Duncan Hames

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · 20d

Interesting discussion on political funding at Lib Dem conference.

Transparency International point out that South Australia has now banned private donations to political parties for state elections, while federally Australia introduced a £25,000 annual donation cap for the next fed. election.

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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 23d

In Wales, they know all too well the consequences of unlimited calls on private donors to finance political campaigns.
The campaign teams and candidates for deputy leader of @teamlabouruk.bsky.social should take care to avoid the same mistakes. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politic...

Call for cap on political donations in Wales

Mr Gething spent more than £250,000 on his campaign to be Welsh Labour leader

www.walesonline.co.uk

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