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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Phil Brickell MP @philbrickellmp.bsky.social · 8h

This could be a major decision in turning the tide on Putin and making sure he pays for his unlawful war of aggression.

I hope Germany, France & the UK can now repurpose frozen Russian state assets as soon as possible to keep Kyiv in the fight.

UK, France and Germany unite to turn Russian assets into Ukraine aid

The G7 plan could unlock up to £250 billion for Kyiv by converting frozen Russian state funds into loans and military support

www.thetimes.com

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 1d

Excellent from @richardmoorhead.bsky.social on aggressive defamation law firm's interactions with police, SRA and others when defending a client on FBI's most wanted list. If professional ethics fail, tough regulation is the only alternative. lawyerwatch.wordpress.com/2025/10/08/s...

SRA v Carter-Ruck, the stories begin to emerge

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has written an extended piece on Carter-Ruck criticising them for “an increasingly aggressive strategy targeting one London [Police] officer” who was investig…

lawyerwatch.wordpress.com

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KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast @kickbackgap.bsky.social · 2d

How do consulting giants enable state capture?

@lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social talks to @devipillay.co.za on McKinsey’s role in South Africa, drawing on the Zondo Commission.
🔗Listen: bit.ly/KBspotify138
🔗Paper: lnkd.in/eczS5NAM

#StateCapture #SouthAfrica #AntiCorruption

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UK Anti-Corruption Coalition @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org · 14d

“A pandemic was always going to be expensive. But we didn’t need to turn it into the profiteers charter that we did.”

📺 A new ITV documentary goes behind the scenes to reveal how government PPE contracts lined the pockets of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch on @itvx.com now.

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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 17d

#Statecapture in South Africa wasn’t just politicians & the Guptas. Firms like McKinsey, Regiments & Trillian at Transnet & Eskom enabled inflated contracts & mismanagement.

#GIACE research by @devipillay.co.za shows how unchecked outsourcing weakens state capacity.

Read: bit.ly/consultants-...

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 22d

Oh dear.

Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 22d

Woah. It's one thing for Trump to ban journalists from White House press conferences; it's another for Downing Street to do his bidding on UK soil.

Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 22d

Shame on Downing Street for going along with this. So much for being committed to a free press

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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 23d

Sussex Spark 2025: Is the UK Politically Corrupt?

Join us at Brighton Dome on 18 Sept for a public debate on the Nolan Principles and standards in public life.
Panel: @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social,Becky Dobson Phillips, @suehawley.bsky.social, @drhannahwhite.bsky.social.

🎟️ Tickets: t.co/eQ90lgoToS

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Sue Hawley @suehawley.bsky.social · 23d

This is actually really big and very welcome. Unannounced amidst yesterday’s Hillsborough Law are new provisions to upgrade the UK’s archaic misconduct in public office offence. Big win for @spotlightcorruption.org. Here’s our analysis @bricksilk.bsky.social @csc-barrington.bsky.social

Spotlight on Corruption @spotlightcorruption.org · 23d

🚨 Will politicians *finally* face real risk of prosecution? The new draft #HillsboroughLaw completely rewrites the UK’s misconduct in public office laws. This is a big win for @spotlightcorruption.org which has campaigned for several years to get this done.

Will politicians finally face real risk of prosecution? Spotlight welcomes new clauses to tackle corruption in Duty of Candour Bill - Spotlight on Corruption

The focus on yesterday’s introduction of the proposed Hillsborough Law has largely been about ensuring those in public office tell the truth and are

www.spotlightcorruption.org

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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · Sep 10

#GIACE hosted our Mid-Year Conference (8–9 Sept) with researchers, Fellows, FCDO & CSO partners.
Day 1 featured multiple panels on research themes, ending with a roundtable on the Changing Global Order.
Day 2 focused on impact - turning research into real-world solutions and more.

bit.ly/giaceconf

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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · Sep 3

New #GIACE blog by @csc-barrington.bsky.social asks: are lawyers upholding justice - or enabling kleptocrats?

Recent research shows the long-standing “access to justice” defence is being challenged by ethicists, political scientists, and even lawyers themselves.

Read: bit.ly/RBEnablersblog

Are ‘professional enablers’ providing access to justice? - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence

bit.ly

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Prospect Magazine @prospectmagazine.co.uk · Aug 28

What has happened in American politics could easily happen in the UK too, writes @davidallengreen.bsky.social.

The UK constitution is more vulnerable than the US constitution

In the face of an illiberal, radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk

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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · Aug 14

🗣️ "This creates concerning opportunities for corporate interests to influence policy without public scrutiny.”

@rosewhiff.bsky.social warned @thetimes.com that the Parliamentary Knowledge Scheme could create conflicts of interest between businesses and MPs.

www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Lindsay Hoyle backs scheme accused of selling access to MPs

The Commons speaker is patron of the Parliamentary Knowledge Scheme, which solicits donations from businesses for the chance to ‘engage’ with politicians

www.thetimes.com

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Spotlight on Corruption @spotlightcorruption.org · Aug 11

‼️The fact that Labour accepted £40k from a convicted criminal underlines the urgent need for a new law to make political parties check the source of their donations. A basic criminal record check would have made the party think twice about accepting the donation in the first place.

Labour kicked out a violent criminal — then accepted his £40,000

Abdul Sattar Shere-Mohammod donated to the national party and three local campaigns in Hampshire after being found guilty of assault in 2022

www.thetimes.com

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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · Aug 8

Read the new blog by @devipillay.co.za for @giace.bsky.social!

Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · Aug 8

New blog by @devipillay.co.za: As Bain leaves South Africa, what have we learned about consultancies & corruption?
Read: bit.ly/DeviBainblog

📅 On 23 September 2025, we’ll publish our new paper: Consulting firms, corruption & state capture: A case study from South Africa (Follow to get it first!)

As Bain leaves South Africa, what have we learned about consultancies and corruption? - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence

bit.ly

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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · Aug 8

New blog by Robert Barrington explores the risks of applying anti-terror laws to protest groups & what it could mean for civil society’s role in anti-corruption. Reflects on UK & global trends.
🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3UjVK04
#Governance #CivilSociety #RuleOfLaw

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · Aug 8

Is the designation of #PalestineAction as a terrorist group relevant to the UK's anti-corruption architecure? Regrettably yes - this new blog explains how blogs.sussex.ac.uk/centre-for-t... @spotlightcorruption.org @transparencyuk.bsky.social @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org

Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · Aug 8

Why it matters whether #PalestineAction are really terrorists - blog exploring implications of using anti-terror laws vs Palestine Action, arguing that applying such laws to campaigners can set dangerous precedent which a future government could abuse to silence its critics and cover up corruption

Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · Aug 8

New blog by @csc-barrington.bsky.social explores the risks of applying anti-terror laws to protest groups & what it could mean for civil society’s role in anti-corruption. Reflects on UK & global trends.

🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3UjVK04

#Governance #CivilSociety #RuleOfLaw

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · Aug 8

Why it matters whether #PalestineAction are really terrorists - blog exploring implications of using anti-terror laws vs Palestine Action, arguing that applying such laws to campaigners can set dangerous precedent which a future government could abuse to silence its critics and cover up corruption

Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · Aug 8

New blog by @csc-barrington.bsky.social explores the risks of applying anti-terror laws to protest groups & what it could mean for civil society’s role in anti-corruption. Reflects on UK & global trends.

🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3UjVK04

#Governance #CivilSociety #RuleOfLaw

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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · Aug 6

We’re excited to welcome @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social as the new Programme Director of GI ACE!

We’re thrilled to have her leading the next phase of GI ACE’s work to advance integrity and evidence-based anti-corruption strategies.

Read more about Liz’s background: giace.org/about/

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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · Aug 6

Just announced: the UK's most famous libel firm, Carter-Ruck, is being prosecuted before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for recklessly enabling a $4bn fraud

It's astonishing how reckless Carter-Ruck was - likely causing $$$ more to be lost to fraudsters

The full story:

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · Jul 29

Delighted to have published this paper on the ethics of lawyers who represent kleptocrats - Competing rights, colliding ethics: reconciling client acceptance, state capture and the concept of a public profession www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Competing rights, colliding ethics: reconciling client acceptance, state capture and the concept of a public profession

Lawyers have been characterised as a keystone in the architecture of professional services providers who enable grand corruption and kleptocracy to take place. A multistakeholder Taskforce on Busin...

www.tandfonline.com

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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · Jul 28

📚 Highlights from the CSC Summer Academy!

Two days of rich discussion on state capture, grand corruption, integrity in sport, and more. Interested in anti-corruption?
Apply to our MA in Corruption & Governance:
lnkd.in/e-vEK2sb
#AntiCorruption #GoodGovernance #CSC

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · Jul 22

Many small steps make a long journey. But we now need big steps+a short journey. Loss of trust in politics is a severe problem - ethics & integrity a big contributory cause. Parties talk such a good game on this - but only in Opposition. From that to wardrobe-gate and footie freebies. What a shame.

Spotlight on Corruption @spotlightcorruption.org · Jul 21

📢 Today’s announcement of a new Ethics & Integrity Commission must be the first step in an ambitious upgrade of standards regulation that experts have long called for. Without further steps it risks failing to meet strong public demand for truly independent regulation of politicians' behaviour.

Ethics and Integrity Commission to drive up standards across the public sector

A new Ethics and Integrity Commission will be established to drive up standards in public life, delivering on a key manifesto commitment.

www.gov.uk

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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · Jul 21

Government plans for a new Ethics Commission are welcome, but without laws that enshrines the existence of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, ministerial standards will still rely on the ‘good chaps’ theory of government.

Our full statement 👇
www.transparency.org.uk/news/new-eth...

New ethics commission welcome, but stronger rules - backed in law - are needed.

www.transparency.org.uk

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Reposted by Prof Robert Barrington

Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · Jul 22

"It is unclear how the new financial penalties will be enforced and there are no changes to the rules on the revolving door, which urgently need strengthening"

Our thoughts on the Government's new ethics announcements in the @financialtimes.com ⬇️

www.ft.com/content/0ff2...

UK to introduce standards regime to fine ministers over post-office jobs breaches

‘Essentially toothless’ watchdog Acoba to be replaced by Ethics and Integrity Commission

www.ft.com

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · Jul 19

Really interesting set of research gaps/questions published by NCA and Home Office: nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/p... @spotlightcorruption.org @transparencyuk.bsky.social @bcowdock.bsky.social @duncanhames.bsky.social @suehawley.bsky.social @jamesbj.bsky.social

nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk

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