Kathy O'Donnell
@kathyodonnell.bsky.social
Journalist, parent to two grown-ups, LGBT+ rights campaigner, former night editor of The Times, Scotland. Lives in France. [she/her]
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
It's not hyperbole to say that trans people are facing a human rights crisis in the UK, and it's been entirely cultivated by the worst people including a large chunk of the Labour Party
February 14, 2026 at 9:44 AM
It's not hyperbole to say that trans people are facing a human rights crisis in the UK, and it's been entirely cultivated by the worst people including a large chunk of the Labour Party
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
t has been a hard week. In truth, it has been a hard few years. For many trans+ people, the noise, the headlines, the debates and the hostility can feel relentless.
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
February 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
t has been a hard week. In truth, it has been a hard few years. For many trans+ people, the noise, the headlines, the debates and the hostility can feel relentless.
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
My dude, for immigrants, trans people and the disabled, the person wandering around with the candle snuffer is you.
February 14, 2026 at 9:20 AM
My dude, for immigrants, trans people and the disabled, the person wandering around with the candle snuffer is you.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
If you're reading the mainstream media headlines on the 'Keeping children safe in education' draft guidance and worrying about the kids being transed in kindergarten, please stop and take a peek at my blog, written with specific reference to Alice's experience at school.
Keeping children safe in education (as long as they're cis)
The UK government has just published draft guidance: ‘Keeping children safe in education 2026 (KCSIE)’What’s not to like about a document with those intentions?Any initiative that aims to safeguard o...
www.carolinelitman.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:54 AM
If you're reading the mainstream media headlines on the 'Keeping children safe in education' draft guidance and worrying about the kids being transed in kindergarten, please stop and take a peek at my blog, written with specific reference to Alice's experience at school.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Westminster is in chaos, armpit deep in the Epstein scandal and Labour plotting. Yet there’s radio silence from the SNP on independence. Now is the moment to strike and say an Indy Scotland would be better than this circus. Speak out now if you want to win the fight
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Is the SNP still actually interested in delivering Scottish independence?
As Westminster reels from scandal and chaos, is the SNP missing its moment to press the case for Scottish independence?
www.heraldscotland.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Westminster is in chaos, armpit deep in the Epstein scandal and Labour plotting. Yet there’s radio silence from the SNP on independence. Now is the moment to strike and say an Indy Scotland would be better than this circus. Speak out now if you want to win the fight
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
we obviously did stuff about mandelson in this too but this bit made me laugh
This week’s NonCensored is out NOW in all the best podcast apps and features an exclusive interview with Health Secretary Wes Streeting!
Podfollow.com/NonCensored
Podfollow.com/NonCensored
February 13, 2026 at 6:10 PM
we obviously did stuff about mandelson in this too but this bit made me laugh
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
We've written to Bridget Phillipson to point out she's legally obliged to reject the EHRC's draft guidance
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
We've written to Bridget Phillipson to point out she's legally obliged to reject the EHRC's draft guidance
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
It has to be said that France is killing it in the Biathlon. #WinterOlympics
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
February 13, 2026 at 1:46 PM
It has to be said that France is killing it in the Biathlon. #WinterOlympics
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
If you're worried about being chased on skis by men and women with guns, don't come to France. They WILL catch up and shoot you very, very accurately.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
It's been a year since we launched our Ending Conversion Practices campaign, last Valentines Day. Billboards across Scotland showed our campaign highlighting the harm & heartbreak that conversion practices cause. Nobody should be made to change or suppress who they are or who they love in Scotland.
February 13, 2026 at 12:01 PM
It's been a year since we launched our Ending Conversion Practices campaign, last Valentines Day. Billboards across Scotland showed our campaign highlighting the harm & heartbreak that conversion practices cause. Nobody should be made to change or suppress who they are or who they love in Scotland.
www.thenational.scot/news/2585008...
Let's be more understanding of the poor guy. I hate him being PM, too.
Let's be more understanding of the poor guy. I hate him being PM, too.
Keir Starmer 'spends his weekend complaining he hates being Prime Minister'
KEIR Starmer spends his weekends “complaining” about how much he “hates” being Prime Minister, reports say, as his Government faces…
www.thenational.scot
February 13, 2026 at 11:50 AM
www.thenational.scot/news/2585008...
Let's be more understanding of the poor guy. I hate him being PM, too.
Let's be more understanding of the poor guy. I hate him being PM, too.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
There is a *very* obvious solution to this, but I guess with McSweeney gone, there isn't anyone to tell him what to do anymore 🙃
Keir Starmer 'spends his weekend complaining he hates being Prime Minister'
KEIR Starmer spends his weekends “complaining” about how much he “hates” being Prime Minister, reports say, as his Government faces…
www.thenational.scot
February 13, 2026 at 11:37 AM
There is a *very* obvious solution to this, but I guess with McSweeney gone, there isn't anyone to tell him what to do anymore 🙃
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The new, poisonous “guidance” for trans kids in schools has no foundation in science or medicine. It forces trans and non-binary kids back into the closet purely for the comfort of a loud, radicalized minority. And that’s gone so well, historically.
February 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
The new, poisonous “guidance” for trans kids in schools has no foundation in science or medicine. It forces trans and non-binary kids back into the closet purely for the comfort of a loud, radicalized minority. And that’s gone so well, historically.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The ban was justified by Yvette Cooper, who imposed it when she was Home Secretary, on the grounds that she knew some special secrets about PA the rest of us didn't: a shocking abuse of government privilege. She has never produced this "evidence", and we have reasons to believe it does not exist.
February 13, 2026 at 10:22 AM
The ban was justified by Yvette Cooper, who imposed it when she was Home Secretary, on the grounds that she knew some special secrets about PA the rest of us didn't: a shocking abuse of government privilege. She has never produced this "evidence", and we have reasons to believe it does not exist.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Blue Labour founder, McSweeney confidante and Farage pal Maurice Glasman was proud of his connections with Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel when we interviewed him last autumn. Wonder if he’s having second thoughts after the Epstein files
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/79/b...
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/79/b...
‘Blue Labour’ & the Thiel Effect – Byline Times Digital / Print Edition
The ideology of the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement has transformed politics in the United States – and is now flowing into the UK. Nafeez Ahmed and Peter Jukes investigate how this influence is b...
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Blue Labour founder, McSweeney confidante and Farage pal Maurice Glasman was proud of his connections with Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel when we interviewed him last autumn. Wonder if he’s having second thoughts after the Epstein files
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/79/b...
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/79/b...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The problem with these Palantir deals is not primarily data security.
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:59 AM
The problem with these Palantir deals is not primarily data security.
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
It's the fact we are creating single points of failure in the NHS, armed forces, and police. Palantir has massive leverage over essential information and logistics systems. A bad idea....
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The fact Wes Streeting was warned by his own officials that the toxicity of Palantir made the contract less likely to succeed raises, yet again, the question why Government granted it the contract in the first place?
NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed
Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:29 AM
The fact Wes Streeting was warned by his own officials that the toxicity of Palantir made the contract less likely to succeed raises, yet again, the question why Government granted it the contract in the first place?
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Labour continues to troll the trans community - and to prioritise pleasing the right wing press. We know Hilary Cass was selected for her transphobic views: Kemi Badenoch told us exactly that.
So why is she running trans policy for Labour?
So why is she running trans policy for Labour?
February 12, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Labour continues to troll the trans community - and to prioritise pleasing the right wing press. We know Hilary Cass was selected for her transphobic views: Kemi Badenoch told us exactly that.
So why is she running trans policy for Labour?
So why is she running trans policy for Labour?
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Sub-editorial hilarity
This from the Daily Mail, I believe …
Personally, I only take a few minutes…
And from David Stokes:
Whose in the loo,
There's a very long queue,
Is it an elephant doing a poo?
They're taking forever
Who can it be?
Ah it's a trans woman
Doing a century long wee
This from the Daily Mail, I believe …
Personally, I only take a few minutes…
And from David Stokes:
Whose in the loo,
There's a very long queue,
Is it an elephant doing a poo?
They're taking forever
Who can it be?
Ah it's a trans woman
Doing a century long wee
February 12, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Sub-editorial hilarity
This from the Daily Mail, I believe …
Personally, I only take a few minutes…
And from David Stokes:
Whose in the loo,
There's a very long queue,
Is it an elephant doing a poo?
They're taking forever
Who can it be?
Ah it's a trans woman
Doing a century long wee
This from the Daily Mail, I believe …
Personally, I only take a few minutes…
And from David Stokes:
Whose in the loo,
There's a very long queue,
Is it an elephant doing a poo?
They're taking forever
Who can it be?
Ah it's a trans woman
Doing a century long wee
All you can really say is WTF.
A Reuters photographer captured this image of a page from Pam Bondi's "burn book," which she used to counter any questions from Democratic lawmakers during an unhinged hearing today.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM
All you can really say is WTF.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
"A conservative network led by Michael Gove and Nigel Farage’s senior adviser James Orr has spent more than half a million pounds pushing far-right and anti-trans voices – some of it fuelled by profits from Russian oil."
Putin’s megaphone: Orbán’s far-right push into UK universities is fuelled by Russian oil | Good Law Project
Good Law Project has uncovered a network funded by Hungary’s authoritarian leader Viktor Orbán, that uses profits from refining Russian oil to platform far right and anti-trans campaigners in the UK
goodlaw.social
February 12, 2026 at 11:15 AM
"A conservative network led by Michael Gove and Nigel Farage’s senior adviser James Orr has spent more than half a million pounds pushing far-right and anti-trans voices – some of it fuelled by profits from Russian oil."
Another foul billionaire who needs to be taxed into oblivion. He lives in Monaco, of course.
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Another foul billionaire who needs to be taxed into oblivion. He lives in Monaco, of course.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
It is cope to believe this is all confected. My whole job is talking to MPs and ministers, I talk to a dozen different ones every day, I spend the week in Parliament in the same corridors, same coffee queues. Sometimes even I have been taken aback by the strength of feeling about the need for change
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
February 10, 2026 at 9:49 AM
It is cope to believe this is all confected. My whole job is talking to MPs and ministers, I talk to a dozen different ones every day, I spend the week in Parliament in the same corridors, same coffee queues. Sometimes even I have been taken aback by the strength of feeling about the need for change
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
This couldn’t be clearer. Bannon’s texts to Epstein in mid July 2018 - “overthrowing May right now” and in “London with Boris” as well as his appearance on LBC with Nigel Farage are prettying damning evidence of a cross party plot with foreign backing
February 11, 2026 at 12:18 PM
This couldn’t be clearer. Bannon’s texts to Epstein in mid July 2018 - “overthrowing May right now” and in “London with Boris” as well as his appearance on LBC with Nigel Farage are prettying damning evidence of a cross party plot with foreign backing