Ian Birrell
@ianbirrell.bsky.social
Foreign correspondent, columnist, campaigner, co-founder Africa Express, citizen of the world and a bit more besides…
Brilliant, incensed piece by Marina Hyde on all those powerful men who helped a wealthy paedophile despite his sickening crimes against young women www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It’s the Epstein files deja vu: how many more powerful men knew about his crimes, and helped him out anyway? | Marina Hyde
I’m sorry, but this is not just a political scandal. Time to refocus on the horrific mistreatment of women and girls, and the role of these ghouls, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Brilliant, incensed piece by Marina Hyde on all those powerful men who helped a wealthy paedophile despite his sickening crimes against young women www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"You are a controversial figure' said convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to Peter Mandelson
February 3, 2026 at 11:11 AM
"You are a controversial figure' said convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to Peter Mandelson
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Ian Birrell: a Labour Government headed by a human rights lawyer wants to protect councils that fail to meet their legal responsibilities to some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people…by ending the right of parents to challenge wrongful decisions archive.is/2026.02.01-190808...
February 2, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Ian Birrell: a Labour Government headed by a human rights lawyer wants to protect councils that fail to meet their legal responsibilities to some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people…by ending the right of parents to challenge wrongful decisions archive.is/2026.02.01-190808...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Is this really why Labour MPs think they were elected: to strip some of the most vulnerable children in the country of their right to a decent start in life?
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
Parents of SEND children should fear what Starmer is planning
This Government seems intent on shredding the rights of the vulnerable
inews.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Is this really why Labour MPs think they were elected: to strip some of the most vulnerable children in the country of their right to a decent start in life?
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
"A Labour Government headed by a human rights lawyer wants to protect councils that fail to meet their legal responsibilities to some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people. It wants to do so by ending the statutory right of parents to challenge wrongful decisions made by faceless officials."
Is this really why Labour MPs think they were elected: to strip some of the most vulnerable children in the country of their right to a decent start in life?
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
Parents of SEND children should fear what Starmer is planning
This Government seems intent on shredding the rights of the vulnerable
inews.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:37 AM
"A Labour Government headed by a human rights lawyer wants to protect councils that fail to meet their legal responsibilities to some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people. It wants to do so by ending the statutory right of parents to challenge wrongful decisions made by faceless officials."
Want to read diverse voices and commentary from across the political spectrum rather than just one tribal perspective? Try The i Paper for just £20 a year. Offer ends tonight at 11:59pm.
inews.co.uk/subscribe?ut...
inews.co.uk/subscribe?ut...
February 2, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Want to read diverse voices and commentary from across the political spectrum rather than just one tribal perspective? Try The i Paper for just £20 a year. Offer ends tonight at 11:59pm.
inews.co.uk/subscribe?ut...
inews.co.uk/subscribe?ut...
Is this really why Labour MPs think they were elected: to strip some of the most vulnerable children in the country of their right to a decent start in life?
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
Parents of SEND children should fear what Starmer is planning
This Government seems intent on shredding the rights of the vulnerable
inews.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Is this really why Labour MPs think they were elected: to strip some of the most vulnerable children in the country of their right to a decent start in life?
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
What is the point of Kemi Badenoch’s brand of conservatism if it repels millions of moderate voters and simply pastiches Nigel Farage's Reform? My @telegraph.co.uk column www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
Kemi is wrong – the Tories are lost without a Left
What is the point of Badenoch’s brand of conservatism if it simply pastiches Reform?
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 5:04 PM
What is the point of Kemi Badenoch’s brand of conservatism if it repels millions of moderate voters and simply pastiches Nigel Farage's Reform? My @telegraph.co.uk column www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
What is the point of Kemi Badenoch’s brand of conservatism if it repels millions of moderate voters and simply pastiches Nigel Farage's Reform? My @telegraph.co.uk column www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
Kemi is wrong – the Tories are lost without a Left
What is the point of Badenoch’s brand of conservatism if it simply pastiches Reform?
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 5:04 PM
What is the point of Kemi Badenoch’s brand of conservatism if it repels millions of moderate voters and simply pastiches Nigel Farage's Reform? My @telegraph.co.uk column www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
How many times will we hear about these appalling medical scandals, dead or damaged patients, whistleblowers ignored, arrogant doctors, blinkered managers, talk of lessons learned and ending the NHS culture of cover up?
January 29, 2026 at 10:24 PM
How many times will we hear about these appalling medical scandals, dead or damaged patients, whistleblowers ignored, arrogant doctors, blinkered managers, talk of lessons learned and ending the NHS culture of cover up?
These figures expose a lethal scandal taking place in plain sight but ignored due to societal prejudice: four in ten deaths of people with learning disabilities are avoidable, double the number of other citizens.
www.itv.com/news/2026-01...
www.itv.com/news/2026-01...
January 29, 2026 at 10:12 AM
These figures expose a lethal scandal taking place in plain sight but ignored due to societal prejudice: four in ten deaths of people with learning disabilities are avoidable, double the number of other citizens.
www.itv.com/news/2026-01...
www.itv.com/news/2026-01...
A minister once explained to me how this is done: at an agreed point, the British delegation raises human rights so they can claim to have done so while the Chinese team ostentatiously turns away or ignores them. Then they get back to business..
NEW: Keir Starmer says he’ll “raise the issues that need to be raised” on human rights with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, as he arrives in Beijing for first trip to country by UK leader in 8 years.
January 28, 2026 at 9:45 AM
A minister once explained to me how this is done: at an agreed point, the British delegation raises human rights so they can claim to have done so while the Chinese team ostentatiously turns away or ignores them. Then they get back to business..
A very disturbing proposal being floated by the government: stop SEND parents from appealing education, health and care plan refusals since councils lose 99% of cases
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
Just as before the woeful budget, ministers are testing lots of dreadful ideas. Prepare for the worst
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
Just as before the woeful budget, ministers are testing lots of dreadful ideas. Prepare for the worst
Parents of SEND children face being blocked from EHCP appeals
Ministers are seeking to curb the sharp rise in tribunal challenges - where parents win 99 per cent of cases
inews.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:36 AM
A very disturbing proposal being floated by the government: stop SEND parents from appealing education, health and care plan refusals since councils lose 99% of cases
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
Just as before the woeful budget, ministers are testing lots of dreadful ideas. Prepare for the worst
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
Just as before the woeful budget, ministers are testing lots of dreadful ideas. Prepare for the worst
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Amazing fact that shows the reality of Reform UK: There are now more members of Liz Truss’s disastrous cabinet in Farage’s party than in the Conservative Party.
January 27, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Amazing fact that shows the reality of Reform UK: There are now more members of Liz Truss’s disastrous cabinet in Farage’s party than in the Conservative Party.
Amazing fact that shows the reality of Reform UK: There are now more members of Liz Truss’s disastrous cabinet in Farage’s party than in the Conservative Party.
January 27, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Amazing fact that shows the reality of Reform UK: There are now more members of Liz Truss’s disastrous cabinet in Farage’s party than in the Conservative Party.
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Trump’s ICE spreads mayhem and misery – and sounds a dark warning for Europe. My @theipaper column inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's ICE spreads mayhem and misery - and sounds a dark warning for Europe
This is another glimpse of what happens when fear and loathing of migrants curdles into toxic tribalism
inews.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Trump’s ICE spreads mayhem and misery – and sounds a dark warning for Europe. My @theipaper column inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump’s ICE spreads mayhem and misery – and sounds a dark warning for Europe. My @theipaper column inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's ICE spreads mayhem and misery - and sounds a dark warning for Europe
This is another glimpse of what happens when fear and loathing of migrants curdles into toxic tribalism
inews.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Trump’s ICE spreads mayhem and misery – and sounds a dark warning for Europe. My @theipaper column inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump’s ICE spreads mayhem and misery – and sounds a dark warning for Europe. My @theipaper column inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's ICE spreads mayhem and misery - and sounds a dark warning for Europe
This is another glimpse of what happens when fear and loathing of migrants curdles into toxic tribalism
inews.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Trump’s ICE spreads mayhem and misery – and sounds a dark warning for Europe. My @theipaper column inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
January 23, 2026 at 10:13 PM
"1 in 5 pupils are getting a SEND diagnosis..the vast majority then trip into the benefit system because they get child disability allowance allowance.'
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
This is completely false from Milburn. He's supposed to be reviewing this issue and he's just making things up. Inexcusable.
The editor of a leading Russian state TV show sent me an email asking to discuss my 2023 investigation into Denmark's historic campaign of forced sterilisation in Greenland. I'll ignore it, of course, but clearly the Kremlin doing its best to assist Trump's bid to undermine Europe
January 22, 2026 at 2:21 PM
The editor of a leading Russian state TV show sent me an email asking to discuss my 2023 investigation into Denmark's historic campaign of forced sterilisation in Greenland. I'll ignore it, of course, but clearly the Kremlin doing its best to assist Trump's bid to undermine Europe
Official: Britain has a government that kowtows to China’s dictatorship while failing to stand up to a demented bully in the White House
January 20, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Official: Britain has a government that kowtows to China’s dictatorship while failing to stand up to a demented bully in the White House
Never mind that this is being used as an excuse to grab Greenland and wreck NATO, nor that the Tories set this plan in motion….utterly (but typically) shameless by Patel
January 20, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Never mind that this is being used as an excuse to grab Greenland and wreck NATO, nor that the Tories set this plan in motion….utterly (but typically) shameless by Patel
At what point does the Republican Party wake up to confront its demented President?
January 20, 2026 at 7:55 AM
At what point does the Republican Party wake up to confront its demented President?
Trump has also turned on the Chagos Island deal that his team supported, claiming it as an excuse for his crazed threats on Greenland and humiliating Starmer the day after the PM’s emollient speech.
Can Downing Street can now accept that the supposed ‘Special Relationship’ is history?
Can Downing Street can now accept that the supposed ‘Special Relationship’ is history?
January 20, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Trump has also turned on the Chagos Island deal that his team supported, claiming it as an excuse for his crazed threats on Greenland and humiliating Starmer the day after the PM’s emollient speech.
Can Downing Street can now accept that the supposed ‘Special Relationship’ is history?
Can Downing Street can now accept that the supposed ‘Special Relationship’ is history?
The US President has now posted in public what appears to be a private message from President Macron. He is becoming more deranged and dangerous each day
January 20, 2026 at 7:33 AM
The US President has now posted in public what appears to be a private message from President Macron. He is becoming more deranged and dangerous each day