Ian Birrell
@ianbirrell.bsky.social
Foreign correspondent, columnist, campaigner, co-founder Africa Express, citizen of the world and a bit more besides…
Reposted by Ian Birrell
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
As I wrote earlier this year....and now this government is grabbing control of SEND provision, so prepare for the worst
November 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
As I wrote earlier this year....and now this government is grabbing control of SEND provision, so prepare for the worst
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
So patronising and offensive
Sorry, no, Motability was not about 'helping the most vulnerable' - it was about providing people who need modified vehicles modified vehicles!
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
So patronising and offensive
Central government is taking on the full cost of SEND provision, thereby removing a major cost from local authorities but also breaking an important communal bond. Given the smoke signals on this issue from some ministers, this is pretty alarming
November 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Central government is taking on the full cost of SEND provision, thereby removing a major cost from local authorities but also breaking an important communal bond. Given the smoke signals on this issue from some ministers, this is pretty alarming
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
The budget leak is pretty breathtaking but should not hide that this is a desperate tax-grabbing, welfare-increasing budget designed to keep the chancellor and PM in their jobs by appeasing their MPs
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The budget leak is pretty breathtaking but should not hide that this is a desperate tax-grabbing, welfare-increasing budget designed to keep the chancellor and PM in their jobs by appeasing their MPs
It is not ‘misogyny’ to point out that Reeves has been a hopeless chancellor who misled voters repeatedly, stifled growth, mishandled the economy and has made a series of political missteps (as well as plagiarising, posting up a false CV and failing to obtain a council rental licence).
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
It is not ‘misogyny’ to point out that Reeves has been a hopeless chancellor who misled voters repeatedly, stifled growth, mishandled the economy and has made a series of political missteps (as well as plagiarising, posting up a false CV and failing to obtain a council rental licence).
'Nigel Farage is facing calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.'
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Exclusive: The Reform UK leader discussed far-right talking points in web TV and radio appearances between 2009 and 2018
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
'Nigel Farage is facing calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.'
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe on the brink of defeat
Putin is carving up Ukraine
inews.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe on the brink of defeat
Putin is carving up Ukraine
inews.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's 'peace plan' for Ukraine will leave Russia as 'a complete winner' - in the words of the grotesque EU leader who is Putin's biggest patsy (and was drummed out of office previously following a double murder linked to corruption inquiries)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his government supports the "peace plan" for Ukraine proposed by President Trump.
According to him, the document is "bombastic,"&if adopted,Russia would "emerge as a complete winner - morally and economically strengthened."
According to him, the document is "bombastic,"&if adopted,Russia would "emerge as a complete winner - morally and economically strengthened."
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Trump's 'peace plan' for Ukraine will leave Russia as 'a complete winner' - in the words of the grotesque EU leader who is Putin's biggest patsy (and was drummed out of office previously following a double murder linked to corruption inquiries)
Russian tentacles are reaching deep into British democracy - my @theipaper column from September on Nathan Gill, his pals in Reform UK and Moscow disinformation
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
Russian tentacles are reaching deep into British democracy – Ian Birrell
ianbirrell.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Russian tentacles are reaching deep into British democracy - my @theipaper column from September on Nathan Gill, his pals in Reform UK and Moscow disinformation
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
Wow: the CDC - one of the world's most influential public health agencies - is now spreading vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on debunking vaccines-autism link
The CDC’s website now says health authorities ignored evidence of a potential connection between vaccines and autism, despite dozens of studies showing no link.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Wow: the CDC - one of the world's most influential public health agencies - is now spreading vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
While no fan of Cummings, this is an interesting line in his response to the Covid inquiry about the origins cover-up
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
While no fan of Cummings, this is an interesting line in his response to the Covid inquiry about the origins cover-up
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Why does anyone doubt that Trump and his sidekick Witkoff are in Putin’s pocket, doing everything they can to betray Ukraine and democracy? And for all the talk about corruption in Kyiv, just look at what is happening before our eyes in Washington?
November 20, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Why does anyone doubt that Trump and his sidekick Witkoff are in Putin’s pocket, doing everything they can to betray Ukraine and democracy? And for all the talk about corruption in Kyiv, just look at what is happening before our eyes in Washington?
Reposted by Ian Birrell
I've seen claims that Darren Grimes used a faked photograph in this blogpost, so I've decided to take a closer look, see if an elected official would be low enough to use a fake image to promote anti-immigrant sentiment (the answer will shock you!)
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE: DURHAM FILES PROVE LABOUR USES COUNTY AS MIGRANT DUMPING GROUND WHILE HIDING TRUTH IN PARLIAMENT
The “fair share” is a fantasy. Wealthy Southern councils sit in their leafy enclaves while County Durham is packed. Now whistleblower files reveal the truth Labour wanted buried!
www.darrengrimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I've seen claims that Darren Grimes used a faked photograph in this blogpost, so I've decided to take a closer look, see if an elected official would be low enough to use a fake image to promote anti-immigrant sentiment (the answer will shock you!)
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
www.darrengrimes.com/p/exclusive-...
Why does anyone doubt that Trump and his sidekick Witkoff are in Putin’s pocket, doing everything they can to betray Ukraine and democracy? And for all the talk about corruption in Kyiv, just look at what is happening before our eyes in Washington?
November 20, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Why does anyone doubt that Trump and his sidekick Witkoff are in Putin’s pocket, doing everything they can to betray Ukraine and democracy? And for all the talk about corruption in Kyiv, just look at what is happening before our eyes in Washington?
Not just Jamal Khashoggi: Trump's pal Mohammed bin Salman, the ruler of Saudi Arabia, executed another journalist and critic of his abusive rule earlier this year www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Saudi Arabia: Executions Surge in 2025
Saudi authorities have been carrying out an unprecedented surge in executions in 2025 without apparent due process.
www.hrw.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Not just Jamal Khashoggi: Trump's pal Mohammed bin Salman, the ruler of Saudi Arabia, executed another journalist and critic of his abusive rule earlier this year www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Trump’s team still working hard to sell out democracy and Ukraine to the Kremlin
1/ The US has secretly been working with Russia to develop a new peace plan for Ukraine, according to a report in Axios. The 28-point plan is said to cover peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and future US relations with Russia and Ukraine. ⬇️
November 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Trump’s team still working hard to sell out democracy and Ukraine to the Kremlin
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Britain gave just 140 visas to Namibians along with 299 for DRC citizens and 273 for Angolans.
Yet the government is making a big deal about banning visas from these 3 nations if they don't co-operate more on removal of illegal migrants.
Scapegoating Africa, as usual...
Yet the government is making a big deal about banning visas from these 3 nations if they don't co-operate more on removal of illegal migrants.
Scapegoating Africa, as usual...
November 18, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Britain gave just 140 visas to Namibians along with 299 for DRC citizens and 273 for Angolans.
Yet the government is making a big deal about banning visas from these 3 nations if they don't co-operate more on removal of illegal migrants.
Scapegoating Africa, as usual...
Yet the government is making a big deal about banning visas from these 3 nations if they don't co-operate more on removal of illegal migrants.
Scapegoating Africa, as usual...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
According to latest data, no nationals from Namibia arrived through 'an irregular route' in the UK over the 12 months to June - along with 11 from Democratic Republic of Congo and 3 from Angola in the UK.
November 18, 2025 at 10:43 AM
According to latest data, no nationals from Namibia arrived through 'an irregular route' in the UK over the 12 months to June - along with 11 from Democratic Republic of Congo and 3 from Angola in the UK.
Reposted by Ian Birrell
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
According to latest data, no nationals from Namibia arrived through 'an irregular route' in the UK over the 12 months to June - along with 11 from Democratic Republic of Congo and 3 from Angola in the UK.
November 18, 2025 at 10:43 AM
According to latest data, no nationals from Namibia arrived through 'an irregular route' in the UK over the 12 months to June - along with 11 from Democratic Republic of Congo and 3 from Angola in the UK.
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Mexico City is suffering an ‘invasion’ of migrants that started during the pandemic and is sparking growing concern - but they are coming from America. My report for @unherd.com unherd.com/2025/11/amer...
America’s invasion of Mexico
unherd.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Mexico City is suffering an ‘invasion’ of migrants that started during the pandemic and is sparking growing concern - but they are coming from America. My report for @unherd.com unherd.com/2025/11/amer...