Cat Neilan
@catneilan.bsky.social
Whitehall Editor for the Observer. Politics, investigations and taramasalata
Excellent work from @direthoughts.com and team, exposing serious misconduct resulting in a lengthy suspension for these two peers
NEW: Lord Dannatt and Lord David Evans of Watford face suspension of 4mo/5mo respectively from the House of Lords after a parliamentary watchdog ruled they had broken lobbying rules. Reports from the conduct committee follows Guardian investigations into the peers.
w/ @robevansgdn.bsky.social
w/ @robevansgdn.bsky.social
Two peers suspended from House of Lords for breaking lobbying rules
Lord Dannatt and Lord Evans of Watford were filmed breaking rules in undercover footage recorded by Guardian
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Excellent work from @direthoughts.com and team, exposing serious misconduct resulting in a lengthy suspension for these two peers
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Read the latest investigation by @catneilan.bsky.social and I, which reveals that against the advice of experts, defibrillators are often neglected and inaccessible leading to tragic and preventable deaths observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Faulty and inaccessible defibrillators linked to dozens of deaths | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Read the latest investigation by @catneilan.bsky.social and I, which reveals that against the advice of experts, defibrillators are often neglected and inaccessible leading to tragic and preventable deaths observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
This investigation, with @freyashaw.bsky.social, comes as the govt plans to roll out new driving tests encouraging greater understanding of - and reliance on - defibs
And yet the system is neglected, patchy and lacking any real oversight
And yet the system is neglected, patchy and lacking any real oversight
November 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
This investigation, with @freyashaw.bsky.social, comes as the govt plans to roll out new driving tests encouraging greater understanding of - and reliance on - defibs
And yet the system is neglected, patchy and lacking any real oversight
And yet the system is neglected, patchy and lacking any real oversight
Of the 304 councils that responded to our FOI request, 36% said that all their devices were accessible around the clock.
Thirty-nine councils admitted that not all their devices had been checked in the last two months, and 17 were unable to confirm whether they had ever been checked.
Thirty-nine councils admitted that not all their devices had been checked in the last two months, and 17 were unable to confirm whether they had ever been checked.
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Of the 304 councils that responded to our FOI request, 36% said that all their devices were accessible around the clock.
Thirty-nine councils admitted that not all their devices had been checked in the last two months, and 17 were unable to confirm whether they had ever been checked.
Thirty-nine councils admitted that not all their devices had been checked in the last two months, and 17 were unable to confirm whether they had ever been checked.
We highlight some genuinely shocking incidents, like the moment someone tried to use a defib, only to discover it had no battery, and the teenager who died because his friends couldn't access a device they knew was in their school
November 22, 2025 at 2:43 PM
We highlight some genuinely shocking incidents, like the moment someone tried to use a defib, only to discover it had no battery, and the teenager who died because his friends couldn't access a device they knew was in their school
Following the BBC R4 broadcast of our investigation into Britain's system of defibrillators, you can now read the full deep dive in @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
November 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Following the BBC R4 broadcast of our investigation into Britain's system of defibrillators, you can now read the full deep dive in @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Another fantastic episode of The Naked Week with @andrewhunterm.bsky.social & @jonholmes.bsky.social
This week, we investigate Britain's patchy defib system & reveal some genuinely startling problems
Much credit to @freyashaw.bsky.social for the FOI heavy lifting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This week, we investigate Britain's patchy defib system & reveal some genuinely startling problems
Much credit to @freyashaw.bsky.social for the FOI heavy lifting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 - The Naked Week: Ep4. Immigration, Espionage, and a game of Guess Who? - Epstein Edition. - BBC Sounds
The Naked Week tackles immigration, espionage and a game of Guess Who? - Epstein Edition.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Another fantastic episode of The Naked Week with @andrewhunterm.bsky.social & @jonholmes.bsky.social
This week, we investigate Britain's patchy defib system & reveal some genuinely startling problems
Much credit to @freyashaw.bsky.social for the FOI heavy lifting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
This week, we investigate Britain's patchy defib system & reveal some genuinely startling problems
Much credit to @freyashaw.bsky.social for the FOI heavy lifting
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Met has issued this statement:
“There have been no other arrests or interviews under caution and the investigation is ongoing.”
“There have been no other arrests or interviews under caution and the investigation is ongoing.”
November 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Met has issued this statement:
“There have been no other arrests or interviews under caution and the investigation is ongoing.”
“There have been no other arrests or interviews under caution and the investigation is ongoing.”
Nathan Gill is sentenced to 10 and a half years
November 21, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Nathan Gill is sentenced to 10 and a half years
The CPS has now released the text of some of Nathan Gill's WhatsApps discussing payments
Included in them is this - Voloshyn telling Gill "and other 2 for David you have already with you"
As I revealed last month, David Coburn joined Gill on his Oct 2018 trip to Ukraine and joined the 112 board
Included in them is this - Voloshyn telling Gill "and other 2 for David you have already with you"
As I revealed last month, David Coburn joined Gill on his Oct 2018 trip to Ukraine and joined the 112 board
November 21, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The CPS has now released the text of some of Nathan Gill's WhatsApps discussing payments
Included in them is this - Voloshyn telling Gill "and other 2 for David you have already with you"
As I revealed last month, David Coburn joined Gill on his Oct 2018 trip to Ukraine and joined the 112 board
Included in them is this - Voloshyn telling Gill "and other 2 for David you have already with you"
As I revealed last month, David Coburn joined Gill on his Oct 2018 trip to Ukraine and joined the 112 board
Reposted by Cat Neilan
The prosecutor later states in court how the messages indicate Gill "received €5,000 plus $2,000 for himself on this occasion and that concurrent payments were made to two other MEPs."
No other former MEP has yet been charged.
bsky.app/profile/catn...
No other former MEP has yet been charged.
bsky.app/profile/catn...
Prosecutor Mark Heywood has today told the Old Bailey: "It is clear that he read from the script he had with him."
Gill sent a YouTube link to his speech to Voloshyn and wrote "V should be pleased by this".
He was then asked to "encourage other MEPs" to take a similar stance
Gill sent a YouTube link to his speech to Voloshyn and wrote "V should be pleased by this".
He was then asked to "encourage other MEPs" to take a similar stance
Exclusive: Two of Nathan Gill's fellow Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs used the same pro-Russia talking points in European Parliament, after joining him on a paid-for trip to Kyiv
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
November 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The prosecutor later states in court how the messages indicate Gill "received €5,000 plus $2,000 for himself on this occasion and that concurrent payments were made to two other MEPs."
No other former MEP has yet been charged.
bsky.app/profile/catn...
No other former MEP has yet been charged.
bsky.app/profile/catn...
Here's what appears to be the result - Gill and two other MEPs making strikingly similar comments to the European Parliament, following a trip to meet the pro-Putin TV channels
Arnott also said he wrote his own statement
See the similarities for yourself in the video below
youtu.be/64R4xA14nyw?...
See the similarities for yourself in the video below
youtu.be/64R4xA14nyw?...
Nathan Gill and colleagues say pro-Russia talking points in European Parliament | The Observer
YouTube video by The Observer UK
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Here's what appears to be the result - Gill and two other MEPs making strikingly similar comments to the European Parliament, following a trip to meet the pro-Putin TV channels
Prosecutor Mark Heywood has today told the Old Bailey: "It is clear that he read from the script he had with him."
Gill sent a YouTube link to his speech to Voloshyn and wrote "V should be pleased by this".
He was then asked to "encourage other MEPs" to take a similar stance
Gill sent a YouTube link to his speech to Voloshyn and wrote "V should be pleased by this".
He was then asked to "encourage other MEPs" to take a similar stance
Exclusive: Two of Nathan Gill's fellow Ukip/Brexit Party MEPs used the same pro-Russia talking points in European Parliament, after joining him on a paid-for trip to Kyiv
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
‘Jail is inevitable’ for former Reform politician awaitin...
Two other MEPs joined Nathan Gill on a trip paid for by pro-Russian interests – and 6 weeks later repeated his talking points in Parliament
observer.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Prosecutor Mark Heywood has today told the Old Bailey: "It is clear that he read from the script he had with him."
Gill sent a YouTube link to his speech to Voloshyn and wrote "V should be pleased by this".
He was then asked to "encourage other MEPs" to take a similar stance
Gill sent a YouTube link to his speech to Voloshyn and wrote "V should be pleased by this".
He was then asked to "encourage other MEPs" to take a similar stance
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Exclusive: ‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Exclusive: ‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
Reposted by Cat Neilan
So proud of the work me @catneilan.bsky.social and @coramazov.bsky.social have done!
Read our investigation here!
Read our investigation here!
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
share.google
November 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
So proud of the work me @catneilan.bsky.social and @coramazov.bsky.social have done!
Read our investigation here!
Read our investigation here!
Reposted by Cat Neilan
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay.
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay.
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
If you missed the episode from Friday night, you can listen again on the link below
bsky.app/profile/catn...
bsky.app/profile/catn...
No, it's nothing to do with witches
But The Naked Week's latest investigation is something to do with Papa Johns, the exploitation of migrant workers - and action taken by the Home Office as a result of our work
With @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But The Naked Week's latest investigation is something to do with Papa Johns, the exploitation of migrant workers - and action taken by the Home Office as a result of our work
With @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Naked Week - Series 3 - Trump, Traitors, and RIP Tim Davie - BBC Sounds
This week the team fundraise for the BBC, welcome a traitor, and necromance a potato.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
If you missed the episode from Friday night, you can listen again on the link below
bsky.app/profile/catn...
bsky.app/profile/catn...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
"McSweeney was “ripped to shreds” by Labour peers over his lack of answers. “They were asking difficult but obvious questions – and he didn’t have answers to anything.""
Starmer's removal is "inevitable now," says one minister
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
After the week No 10 lost control, warning that chaos is ‘probably fatal’ for Starmer | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:32 AM
"McSweeney was “ripped to shreds” by Labour peers over his lack of answers. “They were asking difficult but obvious questions – and he didn’t have answers to anything.""
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Not sure this is any way to run an economy
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Not sure this is any way to run an economy
Reposted by Cat Neilan
This is quite a story
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
share.google
November 16, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This is quite a story
According to their registers, in the last six weeks they've both received £50k from Francesca Perrin
November 16, 2025 at 9:52 AM
According to their registers, in the last six weeks they've both received £50k from Francesca Perrin
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Political authority, like market confidence, is easy to lose and hard to regain - @catneilan.bsky.social and I report on the week that No 10 lost control observer.co.uk/news/politic...
After the week No 10 lost control, warning that chaos is ‘probably fatal’ for Starmer | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Political authority, like market confidence, is easy to lose and hard to regain - @catneilan.bsky.social and I report on the week that No 10 lost control observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Investigation with @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social - which you can also listen to as part of BBC Radio 4's The Naked Week
November 16, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Investigation with @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social - which you can also listen to as part of BBC Radio 4's The Naked Week
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
share.google
November 16, 2025 at 9:36 AM
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...