Duncan Hames
@duncanhames.bsky.social
Director of Policy @TransparencyUK.bsky.social, governor at Westminster Foundation for Democracy, JRRT director, and former MP (2010-15). Husband to @joswinson.bsky.social, Dad to 3 boys, and recent King’s war studies MA. All views here are my own etc.
Pinned
Duncan Hames
@duncanhames.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Today, a Biritsh former MEP will be sentenced, having admitted eight counts of bribery, in a case investigated by the Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command.
Russian attempts to bribe our politicians are sadly no fiction.
Follow for the latest reaction today: www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...
Russian attempts to bribe our politicians are sadly no fiction.
Follow for the latest reaction today: www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...
Nathan Gill sentenced for taking pro-Russian bribes
Former leader of Reform UK and UKIP in Wales, Nathan Gill, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery after he received payment in return for making statements in favour of pro-Russian media outlets in...
www.walesonline.co.uk
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb has sentenced Nathan Gill to 10 years six months imprisonment, for 8 counts of bribery.
He will serve more than 5 years in prison before being eligible for parole. Her remarks made clear how very seriously she considered his offending.
He will serve more than 5 years in prison before being eligible for parole. Her remarks made clear how very seriously she considered his offending.
Reposted by Duncan Hames
📻 "This whole saga will reinforce public concerns that those with money also have privileged access to power and use that in their own interests."
Earlier today @duncanhames.bsky.social told @lbc.co.uk how the Mandelson scandal shows action is needed on money and influence in our politics.
Earlier today @duncanhames.bsky.social told @lbc.co.uk how the Mandelson scandal shows action is needed on money and influence in our politics.
February 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
📻 "This whole saga will reinforce public concerns that those with money also have privileged access to power and use that in their own interests."
Earlier today @duncanhames.bsky.social told @lbc.co.uk how the Mandelson scandal shows action is needed on money and influence in our politics.
Earlier today @duncanhames.bsky.social told @lbc.co.uk how the Mandelson scandal shows action is needed on money and influence in our politics.
Reposted by Duncan Hames
LISTEN:
Nick Butler, the No 10 adviser whose confidential email to then PM Gordon Brown was forwarded by Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein, tells R4’s PM ‘Peter has let us all down and he should be ashamed of what he’s done’
Nick Butler, the No 10 adviser whose confidential email to then PM Gordon Brown was forwarded by Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein, tells R4’s PM ‘Peter has let us all down and he should be ashamed of what he’s done’
February 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
LISTEN:
Nick Butler, the No 10 adviser whose confidential email to then PM Gordon Brown was forwarded by Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein, tells R4’s PM ‘Peter has let us all down and he should be ashamed of what he’s done’
Nick Butler, the No 10 adviser whose confidential email to then PM Gordon Brown was forwarded by Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein, tells R4’s PM ‘Peter has let us all down and he should be ashamed of what he’s done’
Reposted by Duncan Hames
It’s time to get big money OUT of our politics for good. Add your name now: 38d.gs/BanBigMoney_...
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...
38d.gs
February 2, 2026 at 4:55 PM
It’s time to get big money OUT of our politics for good. Add your name now: 38d.gs/BanBigMoney_...
Just how did a firm that HMRC attempted to wind-up last year for unpaid tax debts, and Companies House twice recently sought to get struck off, manage to find £200k to give to a UK political party? www.occrp.org/en/news/desi...
Design Firm That Donated £200,000 to Reform UK Owed £218,000 in Tax
Authorities threatened to close down Interior Architecture Landscape due to unpaid taxes. The design firm still managed to make a major donation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The firm said the do...
www.occrp.org
February 2, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Just how did a firm that HMRC attempted to wind-up last year for unpaid tax debts, and Companies House twice recently sought to get struck off, manage to find £200k to give to a UK political party? www.occrp.org/en/news/desi...
Respect for Darling 'digging-in' here when confronting this campagin of threats from 'bond vigilantes'. Familiar as he was with their script, I wonder if he had any ideas who might have written it for them...
Explosive from @faisalislam.bsky.social about that call that did take place with Dimon and Darling.
February 2, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Respect for Darling 'digging-in' here when confronting this campagin of threats from 'bond vigilantes'. Familiar as he was with their script, I wonder if he had any ideas who might have written it for them...
First day in the job and the PM is calling for you to find a way to eject peers that bring your house into disrepute.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean has taken over the role as Lord Speaker.
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
Lord Speaker | Institute for Government
What is the role of the Lord Speaker?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:26 PM
First day in the job and the PM is calling for you to find a way to eject peers that bring your house into disrepute.
The ‘obsession’ of FT journalists is of great service to us here:
BREAKING on ft website:
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Epstein
Former ambassador forwarded memo from special adviser to Gordon Brown to late sex offender in 2009
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The ‘obsession’ of FT journalists is of great service to us here:
Just wait until Trump hears what America 250 marks this year. This relationship really is ‘special’ right now.
NEW: Donald Trump lashes out at UK over Chagos Islands deal - which he signed off in May last year - describing it as “an act of great stupidity” and another reason for his Greenland takeover plan.
January 21, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Just wait until Trump hears what America 250 marks this year. This relationship really is ‘special’ right now.
If a UK government minister had been found to have done this, he would - without doubt - have been sacked by now:
Grossly improper: How Gibraltar's Chief Minister interfered in a criminal investigation
A public inquiry found Gibraltar's Chief Minister made 'grossly improper' attempts to interfere in a criminal investigation – so why is his government responsible for implementing the reforms needed t...
www.transparency.org.uk
January 20, 2026 at 8:35 AM
If a UK government minister had been found to have done this, he would - without doubt - have been sacked by now:
Defeating Russian aggression in Ukraine would be the surest way to deter it in the Arctic. Someone should tell Trump.
January 19, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Defeating Russian aggression in Ukraine would be the surest way to deter it in the Arctic. Someone should tell Trump.
Reposted by Duncan Hames
🎥 "Have they moved as fast as I would have liked? No."
This week @sdoughtymp.bsky.social spoke to to the Lords Constitution Committee explaining that more needs to be done by Britain's Overseas Territories to improve corporate transparency.
We agree - it's time to end offshore corporate secrecy.
This week @sdoughtymp.bsky.social spoke to to the Lords Constitution Committee explaining that more needs to be done by Britain's Overseas Territories to improve corporate transparency.
We agree - it's time to end offshore corporate secrecy.
January 16, 2026 at 4:54 PM
🎥 "Have they moved as fast as I would have liked? No."
This week @sdoughtymp.bsky.social spoke to to the Lords Constitution Committee explaining that more needs to be done by Britain's Overseas Territories to improve corporate transparency.
We agree - it's time to end offshore corporate secrecy.
This week @sdoughtymp.bsky.social spoke to to the Lords Constitution Committee explaining that more needs to be done by Britain's Overseas Territories to improve corporate transparency.
We agree - it's time to end offshore corporate secrecy.
Reposted by Duncan Hames
🎥 "I don't think it's actually helpful to think of foreign interference and the financial methods of that as [just] being about changing an electoral outcome.
Yesterday, Duncan Hames spoke MPs and Peers about the different forms and threats of foreign interference in our politics.
Yesterday, Duncan Hames spoke MPs and Peers about the different forms and threats of foreign interference in our politics.
January 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM
🎥 "I don't think it's actually helpful to think of foreign interference and the financial methods of that as [just] being about changing an electoral outcome.
Yesterday, Duncan Hames spoke MPs and Peers about the different forms and threats of foreign interference in our politics.
Yesterday, Duncan Hames spoke MPs and Peers about the different forms and threats of foreign interference in our politics.
I was fortunate to be invited to speak to Parliament's joint committee on the National Security Strategy yesterday on foreign influence in UK politics in anticipation of the Government's new Elections Bill.
So much 'policing the perimeter' whilst the door to big money in politics is held wide open.
So much 'policing the perimeter' whilst the door to big money in politics is held wide open.
🎥 "The situation we have at the end of the day is... whatever rules you have, all of this conversation is about policing the perimeter."
Yesterday @duncanhames.bsky.social gave evidence to parliament and explained to MPs and Peers why caps on donations are key to ending undue influence in politics.
Yesterday @duncanhames.bsky.social gave evidence to parliament and explained to MPs and Peers why caps on donations are key to ending undue influence in politics.
January 13, 2026 at 2:44 PM
I was fortunate to be invited to speak to Parliament's joint committee on the National Security Strategy yesterday on foreign influence in UK politics in anticipation of the Government's new Elections Bill.
So much 'policing the perimeter' whilst the door to big money in politics is held wide open.
So much 'policing the perimeter' whilst the door to big money in politics is held wide open.
Please watch this excellent interview, honouring the memory of Renee Nicole Good with a call for 1,000 peaceful vigils.
Good neighbours, concerned citizens, should be holding power to account everywhere - and ought to be able to do so without fear of such senseless violence.
Good neighbours, concerned citizens, should be holding power to account everywhere - and ought to be able to do so without fear of such senseless violence.
This weekend, the country stands up to the ICE's violence, including the recent killing of 37 year old mother Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Our co-president @lisa-pubcitizen.bsky.social responded to VP Vance's gaslighting about this atrocity on ABC News:
Our co-president @lisa-pubcitizen.bsky.social responded to VP Vance's gaslighting about this atrocity on ABC News:
January 11, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Please watch this excellent interview, honouring the memory of Renee Nicole Good with a call for 1,000 peaceful vigils.
Good neighbours, concerned citizens, should be holding power to account everywhere - and ought to be able to do so without fear of such senseless violence.
Good neighbours, concerned citizens, should be holding power to account everywhere - and ought to be able to do so without fear of such senseless violence.
Full transparency: we didn’t even commission this polling…
🆕 POLLING
New YouGov polling shows 67% of the public want political donations capped at £50k or less.
The public has spoken loud and clear – it's time to get big money out of UK politics.
Read more ⤵️
https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/latest-yougov-poll-shows-public-want-end-big-money-politics
New YouGov polling shows 67% of the public want political donations capped at £50k or less.
The public has spoken loud and clear – it's time to get big money out of UK politics.
Read more ⤵️
https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/latest-yougov-poll-shows-public-want-end-big-money-politics
Latest YouGov poll shows the public want an end to big money in politics
www.transparency.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Full transparency: we didn’t even commission this polling…
In objecting to this welcome decision, the United Grand Lodge of England have disclosed that 1 in 80 of the Met Police are in fact Freemasons.
news.met.police.uk/news/hierarc...
news.met.police.uk/news/hierarc...
Hierarchical organisations added to declarable association policy
Freemasonry has been formally included.
news.met.police.uk
January 7, 2026 at 8:41 AM
In objecting to this welcome decision, the United Grand Lodge of England have disclosed that 1 in 80 of the Met Police are in fact Freemasons.
news.met.police.uk/news/hierarc...
news.met.police.uk/news/hierarc...
Surely the Government’s Director of Communications should be concluding that this senior official’s continued shareholding in a lobbying firm is untenable? www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/0e10c1e...
Tories demand probe into finances of No 10 spin doctor who devised plan to scrap lobby briefings
Claims that Tim Allan’s shares in advisory firm pose conflict of interest risk
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 27, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Surely the Government’s Director of Communications should be concluding that this senior official’s continued shareholding in a lobbying firm is untenable? www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/0e10c1e...
Reposted by Duncan Hames
#CoSP11: 🎉 Last week, countries adopted a resolution that sets minimum standards for political finance transparency.
This is the first time this has happened since the UN Convention against Corruption entered into force 20 years ago.
🔗 Read our experts’ analysis here: anticorru.pt/3g9
This is the first time this has happened since the UN Convention against Corruption entered into force 20 years ago.
🔗 Read our experts’ analysis here: anticorru.pt/3g9
December 22, 2025 at 1:05 PM
#CoSP11: 🎉 Last week, countries adopted a resolution that sets minimum standards for political finance transparency.
This is the first time this has happened since the UN Convention against Corruption entered into force 20 years ago.
🔗 Read our experts’ analysis here: anticorru.pt/3g9
This is the first time this has happened since the UN Convention against Corruption entered into force 20 years ago.
🔗 Read our experts’ analysis here: anticorru.pt/3g9
The UK Government is launching its new Anti-Corruption strategy today. The Security Minister, the PM’s Anti-Corruption Champion and the Deputy Prime Minister are all here to underline commitment to delivery this strategy from across government. Starting well…
December 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The UK Government is launching its new Anti-Corruption strategy today. The Security Minister, the PM’s Anti-Corruption Champion and the Deputy Prime Minister are all here to underline commitment to delivery this strategy from across government. Starting well…
It’s shaping up to be a big week for fighting corruption in the UK.
Yesterday the Foreign Secretary announced new international partnerships and an illicit finance summit in London on 23rd-24th June.
Now this from the Deputy PM: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Yesterday the Foreign Secretary announced new international partnerships and an illicit finance summit in London on 23rd-24th June.
Now this from the Deputy PM: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK will not be haven for dirty money, Lammy to say in corruption crackdown
Exclusive: Justice secretary to announce measures aimed at countering illicit finance as well as bribery in public services
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
It’s shaping up to be a big week for fighting corruption in the UK.
Yesterday the Foreign Secretary announced new international partnerships and an illicit finance summit in London on 23rd-24th June.
Now this from the Deputy PM: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Yesterday the Foreign Secretary announced new international partnerships and an illicit finance summit in London on 23rd-24th June.
Now this from the Deputy PM: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If he was an MP, his voters could now be demanding a by-election under the Recall Act, but as Tony Blair gave him a life peerage, he could be back in the House of Lords next year. More here from Rob Evans and @direthoughts.com:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Peer suspended from House of Lords was allegedly paid $1m in ‘corrupt’ deal
Lord Evans of Watford and other directors of investment firm deny claims made in lawsuits they say are ‘meritless’
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
If he was an MP, his voters could now be demanding a by-election under the Recall Act, but as Tony Blair gave him a life peerage, he could be back in the House of Lords next year. More here from Rob Evans and @direthoughts.com:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Duncan Hames
This record-breaking donation shows how dependent our parties have become on a super-rich few. It reinforces the belief that money talks loudest in the corridors of power.
The Government promised to protect democracy. It's time to introduce a cap on political donations.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
The Government promised to protect democracy. It's time to introduce a cap on political donations.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
Reform UK gets record £9mn donation from Christopher Harborne
Nigel Farage’s party attracts far more funding than both Labour and the Conservatives
www.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
This record-breaking donation shows how dependent our parties have become on a super-rich few. It reinforces the belief that money talks loudest in the corridors of power.
The Government promised to protect democracy. It's time to introduce a cap on political donations.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
The Government promised to protect democracy. It's time to introduce a cap on political donations.
www.ft.com/content/db73...
This really shouldn’t be utterly predictable in British politics. No party should be reliant on a cadre of ultra-wealthy backers.
Reform UK gets £9mn donation from Christopher Harborne on.ft.com/4rCFCWE
Reform UK gets £9mn donation from Christopher Harborne
Money gives Nigel Farage’s party a big financial boost as it tries to capitalise on its lead in opinion polls
on.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:51 AM
This really shouldn’t be utterly predictable in British politics. No party should be reliant on a cadre of ultra-wealthy backers.
Reposted by Duncan Hames
Lobbyist / ex Tory MP Ben Howlett has been done by an undercover sting. As ever, the most revealing thing is how very very cheap it is buy access in British media/politics — and especially how Howlett controls one of the biggest UK pol Twitter accounts!
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-o...
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-o...
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Lobbyist / ex Tory MP Ben Howlett has been done by an undercover sting. As ever, the most revealing thing is how very very cheap it is buy access in British media/politics — and especially how Howlett controls one of the biggest UK pol Twitter accounts!
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-o...
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-o...