Tim Picton
@timpicton.bsky.social
Anti-corruption advocacy for @spotlightcorruption.org. Views own or sometimes heavily plagiarised.
Reposted by Tim Picton
🔴"FOI is the democratic canary in the coal mine. When official information flows freely, it signals that power is shared. When it’s withheld or delayed, it signals the opposite: power concentrated in the few."
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
The British state is addicted to secrecy - we need to fight back
Our politicians and officials are using public money to keep citizens in the dark, says Heather Brooke
democracyforsale.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
🔴"FOI is the democratic canary in the coal mine. When official information flows freely, it signals that power is shared. When it’s withheld or delayed, it signals the opposite: power concentrated in the few."
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
Vital by Heather Brooke on Democracy 4 Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/why-the-br...
Reposted by Tim Picton
📝 BLOG 📝
UK Overseas Territories committed to corporate transparency.
Seven years on, most have failed to deliver. On our latest blog we look at our new research reveals the scale of the problem and what needs to change.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/seven-y...
UK Overseas Territories committed to corporate transparency.
Seven years on, most have failed to deliver. On our latest blog we look at our new research reveals the scale of the problem and what needs to change.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/seven-y...
Seven years on the UK’s offshore centres are still failing on transparency
www.transparency.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:08 PM
📝 BLOG 📝
UK Overseas Territories committed to corporate transparency.
Seven years on, most have failed to deliver. On our latest blog we look at our new research reveals the scale of the problem and what needs to change.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/seven-y...
UK Overseas Territories committed to corporate transparency.
Seven years on, most have failed to deliver. On our latest blog we look at our new research reveals the scale of the problem and what needs to change.
Read more ⤵️
www.transparency.org.uk/news/seven-y...
Reposted by Tim Picton
🔍 The @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org is looking for an experienced and motivated interim Senior Coalition Manager to lead our group of #anticorruption organisations through a crucial six-month period.
🙋 If that sounds like you, apply at the link below before 7 December.
🙋 If that sounds like you, apply at the link below before 7 December.
Senior Coalition Manager (Interim) - Prospectus Recruitment Agency
Prospectus is excited to be working with the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition to recruit for an Interim Senior Coalition Manager. This is a 6 month contract with opportunities for the role to become perma...
www.prospect-us.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:24 PM
🔍 The @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org is looking for an experienced and motivated interim Senior Coalition Manager to lead our group of #anticorruption organisations through a crucial six-month period.
🙋 If that sounds like you, apply at the link below before 7 December.
🙋 If that sounds like you, apply at the link below before 7 December.
For anyone that would like some evening reading material that isn't related to the Budget, here's my latest blog post for @spotlightcorruption.org on what we can learn from recent political scandals involving crypto in Spain and Czechia ⬇️
www.spotlightcorruption.org/crypto-donat...
www.spotlightcorruption.org/crypto-donat...
Crypto donation lessons from Europe: What recent scandals in Spain and Czechia tell us about the risks of crypto for political finance - Spotlight on Corruption
With the Elections Bill on the horizon, the UK government is in the process of weighing-up whether to bring in strict controls on political donations made in
www.spotlightcorruption.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
For anyone that would like some evening reading material that isn't related to the Budget, here's my latest blog post for @spotlightcorruption.org on what we can learn from recent political scandals involving crypto in Spain and Czechia ⬇️
www.spotlightcorruption.org/crypto-donat...
www.spotlightcorruption.org/crypto-donat...
Reposted by Tim Picton
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 12:13 PM
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
Reposted by Tim Picton
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 Tim Picton
Former MPs who then go on to work for lobbying firms should be banned from holding a parliamentary pass.
I don't care whether they want a haircut or a "cuppa with old colleagues."
It's not as if I have a pass from any of my old workplaces still.
@spotlightcorruption.org right to call this out.
I don't care whether they want a haircut or a "cuppa with old colleagues."
It's not as if I have a pass from any of my old workplaces still.
@spotlightcorruption.org right to call this out.
Ex-MPs working for lobbyists use privileged access to parliament
A number of former politicians who are now paid to help influence policymakers have visited the parliamentary estate, but deny doing so for lobbying
www.thetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Former MPs who then go on to work for lobbying firms should be banned from holding a parliamentary pass.
I don't care whether they want a haircut or a "cuppa with old colleagues."
It's not as if I have a pass from any of my old workplaces still.
@spotlightcorruption.org right to call this out.
I don't care whether they want a haircut or a "cuppa with old colleagues."
It's not as if I have a pass from any of my old workplaces still.
@spotlightcorruption.org right to call this out.
Reposted by Tim Picton
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are crafting their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:31 AM
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
Reposted by Tim Picton
🚨 👍 🧵 1/ As our friends at the @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org say, the forthcoming #AutumnBudget could bring in more revenue if we provided more support for HMRC and our enforcement agencies.
We wrote about this in a major report earlier this year:
anticorruption-responsibletax.org/cleanfoundat...
We wrote about this in a major report earlier this year:
anticorruption-responsibletax.org/cleanfoundat...
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
🚨 👍 🧵 1/ As our friends at the @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org say, the forthcoming #AutumnBudget could bring in more revenue if we provided more support for HMRC and our enforcement agencies.
We wrote about this in a major report earlier this year:
anticorruption-responsibletax.org/cleanfoundat...
We wrote about this in a major report earlier this year:
anticorruption-responsibletax.org/cleanfoundat...
Reposted by Tim Picton
I spent a really long time amassing everything you need to know about Labour's vast deals with fossil gas-loving, Trump-donating AI giants out to pepper the world with climate-wrecking data centres...so you don't have to!
My reporting for @desmog.com 📖👇
My reporting for @desmog.com 📖👇
The sheer scale of Labour's deals with Trump-donating Big Tech firms has been seriously under-reported.
Not only are they being allowed to build climate-wrecking data centres, they've also been given permission to embed their tech within Whitehall, the NHS, and defence 👇👇
📝 @rtakver.bsky.social
Not only are they being allowed to build climate-wrecking data centres, they've also been given permission to embed their tech within Whitehall, the NHS, and defence 👇👇
📝 @rtakver.bsky.social
Labour’s Big Tech Love Affair Could Blow Up Its Climate Promises
When U.S. President Donald Trump landed for what he called the “exquisite honour” of an unprecedented second state visit to the UK this September, he brought along a retinue of his favourite Silicon V...
www.desmog.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I spent a really long time amassing everything you need to know about Labour's vast deals with fossil gas-loving, Trump-donating AI giants out to pepper the world with climate-wrecking data centres...so you don't have to!
My reporting for @desmog.com 📖👇
My reporting for @desmog.com 📖👇
Reposted by Tim Picton
🚨 Dominic Cummings Lobbied Officials to Hand ‘Test and Trace’ Contracts to Palantir After Secret Meeting With Peter Thiel
+ New emails released to Byline reveal Cummings involvement in VIP Lane deals.
Read my latest @bylinetimes.bsky.social report here: bylinetimes.com/2025/10/31/d...
+ New emails released to Byline reveal Cummings involvement in VIP Lane deals.
Read my latest @bylinetimes.bsky.social report here: bylinetimes.com/2025/10/31/d...
Dominic Cummings Lobbied Officials to Hand 'Test and Trace' Contracts to Palantir After Secret Meeting With Peter Thiel
Exclusive: Boris Johnson's senior advisor pushed for Covid contracts to be handed to companies run by Trump-supporting tech billionaires Peter Thiel and Larry Ellison
bylinetimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:55 AM
🚨 Dominic Cummings Lobbied Officials to Hand ‘Test and Trace’ Contracts to Palantir After Secret Meeting With Peter Thiel
+ New emails released to Byline reveal Cummings involvement in VIP Lane deals.
Read my latest @bylinetimes.bsky.social report here: bylinetimes.com/2025/10/31/d...
+ New emails released to Byline reveal Cummings involvement in VIP Lane deals.
Read my latest @bylinetimes.bsky.social report here: bylinetimes.com/2025/10/31/d...
Reposted by Tim Picton
🚨Two years+ after @GoodLawProject revealed Luxe Lifestyle were on PPE Vip Lane thanks to the help of a former minister, the government finally corrects the record.
But, as I detail in my book Viplanebook.com this is still the tip of the iceberg.
It’s likely that 70 firms were on VIP Lane not 52
🧵
But, as I detail in my book Viplanebook.com this is still the tip of the iceberg.
It’s likely that 70 firms were on VIP Lane not 52
🧵
October 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM
🚨Two years+ after @GoodLawProject revealed Luxe Lifestyle were on PPE Vip Lane thanks to the help of a former minister, the government finally corrects the record.
But, as I detail in my book Viplanebook.com this is still the tip of the iceberg.
It’s likely that 70 firms were on VIP Lane not 52
🧵
But, as I detail in my book Viplanebook.com this is still the tip of the iceberg.
It’s likely that 70 firms were on VIP Lane not 52
🧵
Reposted by Tim Picton
Disabled children are having to wait for nearly four months to receive benefit payments due to government delays, with hardly any applications being processed on time according to the latest figures.
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Disabled children left waiting months for benefits due to DWP delays
Single mother Maryam had to wait three months to get child disability allowance for her seven-year-old daughter, who has kidney cancer.
www.bigissue.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Disabled children are having to wait for nearly four months to receive benefit payments due to government delays, with hardly any applications being processed on time according to the latest figures.
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
By me, for the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Reposted by Tim Picton
Autonomy Institute: "A new report calls for a ban on political donors being considered for public contracts after finding 373 companies made a total of over £60 billion following their donations."
29 firms donated £11m+ to the Tories & were then awarded contracts worth £2.3 billion from 2015-2024
29 firms donated £11m+ to the Tories & were then awarded contracts worth £2.3 billion from 2015-2024
October 27, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Autonomy Institute: "A new report calls for a ban on political donors being considered for public contracts after finding 373 companies made a total of over £60 billion following their donations."
29 firms donated £11m+ to the Tories & were then awarded contracts worth £2.3 billion from 2015-2024
29 firms donated £11m+ to the Tories & were then awarded contracts worth £2.3 billion from 2015-2024
Reposted by Tim Picton
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
October 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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...
Reposted by Tim Picton
The UK's first #cryptocurrency donation to a political party raises questions on traceability, foreign influence & regulation
@timpicton.bsky.social of @spotlightcorruption.org explores options - regulate or ban crypto?
Read the blog 👇
www.radixbigtent.org.uk/news-comment... #ElectionsBill
@timpicton.bsky.social of @spotlightcorruption.org explores options - regulate or ban crypto?
Read the blog 👇
www.radixbigtent.org.uk/news-comment... #ElectionsBill
Crypto donations: how to tackle the new dark money threat
www.radixbigtent.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The UK's first #cryptocurrency donation to a political party raises questions on traceability, foreign influence & regulation
@timpicton.bsky.social of @spotlightcorruption.org explores options - regulate or ban crypto?
Read the blog 👇
www.radixbigtent.org.uk/news-comment... #ElectionsBill
@timpicton.bsky.social of @spotlightcorruption.org explores options - regulate or ban crypto?
Read the blog 👇
www.radixbigtent.org.uk/news-comment... #ElectionsBill
Reposted by Tim Picton
An excellent article in the @financialtimes.com this week from @cfs-rusi.bsky.social's Eliza Lockhart on the outdated approach to crypto-assets in UK politics.
📰✒️
ft.com/content/c01c...
#Crypto #Politics #Corruption
📰✒️
ft.com/content/c01c...
#Crypto #Politics #Corruption
Politics should not apply cash-era laws to crypto donations
The UK government’s elections bill risks importing analogue assumptions into a digital threat landscape
ft.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
An excellent article in the @financialtimes.com this week from @cfs-rusi.bsky.social's Eliza Lockhart on the outdated approach to crypto-assets in UK politics.
📰✒️
ft.com/content/c01c...
#Crypto #Politics #Corruption
📰✒️
ft.com/content/c01c...
#Crypto #Politics #Corruption
Reposted by Tim Picton
Great to see @russellscott1.bsky.social shortlisted for a British journalism award for his brilliant @bylinetimes.bsky.social investigations into the VIP lane PPE scandal pressgazette.co.uk/press-gazett...
October 23, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Great to see @russellscott1.bsky.social shortlisted for a British journalism award for his brilliant @bylinetimes.bsky.social investigations into the VIP lane PPE scandal pressgazette.co.uk/press-gazett...
Reposted by Tim Picton
🔴Michael Gove Lobbied Government Officials to Hand Conservative Donor Multimillion Pound Covid Contract
Private correspondence seen by Byline Times reveals that Ciga Healthcare’s Brexit-supporting owner had pushed Gove to “take control” of the process
bylinetimes.com/2025/10/23/m...
Private correspondence seen by Byline Times reveals that Ciga Healthcare’s Brexit-supporting owner had pushed Gove to “take control” of the process
bylinetimes.com/2025/10/23/m...
Michael Gove Lobbied Government Officials to Hand Conservative Donor Multimillion Pound Covid Contract
Private correspondence seen by Byline Times reveals that Ciga Healthcare's Brexit-supporting owner had pushed Gove to "take control" of the process
bylinetimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:59 AM
🔴Michael Gove Lobbied Government Officials to Hand Conservative Donor Multimillion Pound Covid Contract
Private correspondence seen by Byline Times reveals that Ciga Healthcare’s Brexit-supporting owner had pushed Gove to “take control” of the process
bylinetimes.com/2025/10/23/m...
Private correspondence seen by Byline Times reveals that Ciga Healthcare’s Brexit-supporting owner had pushed Gove to “take control” of the process
bylinetimes.com/2025/10/23/m...
Reposted by Tim Picton
I think this is the weirdest story I've ever reported. www.londoncentric.media/p/terry-ball...
The snail farmer of London, his mafia friends, and a £20m vendetta against the taxman
Terry Ball runs elaborate mollusc-based tax avoidance schemes that are costing London councils millions of pounds. Yet when London Centric tracks him down, an even stranger story emerges.
www.londoncentric.media
October 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM
I think this is the weirdest story I've ever reported. www.londoncentric.media/p/terry-ball...
Reposted by Tim Picton
FT Investigation: At least 30 individuals or companies that have collectively donated more than $116mn to Donald Trump’s causes have received benefits or advantages from White House moves.
Read more here: on.ft.com/497fook
Read more here: on.ft.com/497fook
October 17, 2025 at 7:30 AM
FT Investigation: At least 30 individuals or companies that have collectively donated more than $116mn to Donald Trump’s causes have received benefits or advantages from White House moves.
Read more here: on.ft.com/497fook
Read more here: on.ft.com/497fook
Reposted by Tim Picton
💥The first crypto donation to a UK political party has been made – but what should happen next?
@timpicton.bsky.social sets out what guidance the @electoralcommission.org.uk could issue right now, and takes a look at how the forthcoming #ElectionsBill could deal with potential future risks.
@timpicton.bsky.social sets out what guidance the @electoralcommission.org.uk could issue right now, and takes a look at how the forthcoming #ElectionsBill could deal with potential future risks.
Crypto donations: how to tackle the new dark money threat - Spotlight on Corruption
The first-ever crypto donation to a UK political party has now been made, according to recent media reports. We don’t yet know the source or value of the
www.spotlightcorruption.org
October 16, 2025 at 11:51 AM
💥The first crypto donation to a UK political party has been made – but what should happen next?
@timpicton.bsky.social sets out what guidance the @electoralcommission.org.uk could issue right now, and takes a look at how the forthcoming #ElectionsBill could deal with potential future risks.
@timpicton.bsky.social sets out what guidance the @electoralcommission.org.uk could issue right now, and takes a look at how the forthcoming #ElectionsBill could deal with potential future risks.
Reposted by Tim Picton
👏 Really welcome to see these coordinated UK-US sanctions aimed at taking down a crypto investment scam in South East Asia, targeting BVI companies which invested in UK property including a £12m mansion in North London, a £100m office building in the City of London, and 17 flats around London.
UK and US take joint action to disrupt major online fraud network
Alongside the US Government, the UK has today sanctioned a network that operates illegal scam centres across Southeast Asia.
www.gov.uk
October 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
👏 Really welcome to see these coordinated UK-US sanctions aimed at taking down a crypto investment scam in South East Asia, targeting BVI companies which invested in UK property including a £12m mansion in North London, a £100m office building in the City of London, and 17 flats around London.
Reposted by Tim Picton
Help @bylinetimes.bsky.social step things up a level. We’re raising £20k to build a new special investigations team led by Nafeez Ahmed
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/nostoneuntur...
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/nostoneuntur...
#NoStoneUnturned – Byline Times Shop
#NoStoneUnturned Help Byline Times go where others dare to tread. We’re raising £20k to build a new special investigations team led by Nafeez Ahmed. Byline Times is asking for your support to advance ...
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Help @bylinetimes.bsky.social step things up a level. We’re raising £20k to build a new special investigations team led by Nafeez Ahmed
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/nostoneuntur...
subscribe.bylinetimes.com/nostoneuntur...