Frances Mapstone
@francesmap.bsky.social
Housing and homelessness consultant passionate about social justice
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
January 25, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Video contradicts Trump’s claim man killed in Minneapolis was a ‘gunman’
Video contradicts Trump’s claim man killed in Minneapolis was a ‘gunman’
Video evidence reviewed by Guardian shows Alex Pretti, killed by agents in Minneapolis, held a phone, not a gun
Video recorded by witnesses to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday shows that the 37-year-old registered nurse was holding a phone, not a gun, when he was tackled and shot, directly contradicting the claims of senior Trump administration officials that he threatened to “massacre” officers.
In the aftermath of the killing, which was recorded by multiple witnesses, the Department of Homeland Security released an image of a handgun, which Donald Trump referred to as “the gunman’s gun” in a social media post. Kristi Noem, the DHS secretary, said at a briefing that Pretti had “approached US border patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun”, though she later declined to say whether or not Pretti pulled the gun out. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Video contradicts Trump’s claim man killed in Minneapolis was a ‘gunman’
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Alex Pretti did not brandish gun, witnesses say in sworn testimony
Alex Pretti did not brandish gun, witnesses say in sworn testimony
Pair testify that Pretti did not hold weapon and was trying to help woman federal agents had shoved to the ground
Two witnesses to the killing of Alex Pretti have said in sworn testimony that the 37-year-old intensive care nurse was not brandishing a weapon when he approached federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, contradicting a claim made by Trump administration officials as they sought to cast the shooting of a prone man as an act of self-defense.
Their accounts came in sworn affidavits that were filed in federal court in Minnesota late Saturday, just hours after Pretti’s killing, as part of a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of Minneapolis protesters against Kristi Noem and other homeland security officials directing the immigration crackdown in the city. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Alex Pretti did not brandish gun, witnesses say in sworn testimony
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Victoria, please, the BBC must stop 'both sides-ing' this unchecked brutality by ICE. I can imagine what the atmosphere must be like given Trump's threats. But the BBC is fast losing all credibility.
I believe what I see. The BBC *must* start reporting these incidents as what they are.
I believe what I see. The BBC *must* start reporting these incidents as what they are.
January 25, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Victoria, please, the BBC must stop 'both sides-ing' this unchecked brutality by ICE. I can imagine what the atmosphere must be like given Trump's threats. But the BBC is fast losing all credibility.
I believe what I see. The BBC *must* start reporting these incidents as what they are.
I believe what I see. The BBC *must* start reporting these incidents as what they are.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
The Nazi SA - Sturmabteilung, or Storm Troopers - were often recruited from the dregs of society: barely literate failures incapable of holding down a job and only fit for murder and terror. The scum of Germany. Hitler gave them free rein to vent their rage on their betters. Sound familiar, America?
January 24, 2026 at 5:42 PM
The Nazi SA - Sturmabteilung, or Storm Troopers - were often recruited from the dregs of society: barely literate failures incapable of holding down a job and only fit for murder and terror. The scum of Germany. Hitler gave them free rein to vent their rage on their betters. Sound familiar, America?
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Yesterday in Horsley, Derbyshire, Reform UK were beaten in a local by-election.
That didn’t happen by accident. Local people organised, spoke to voters, and pushed back.
It shows that when Reform are challenged locally, they can be stopped.
That didn’t happen by accident. Local people organised, spoke to voters, and pushed back.
It shows that when Reform are challenged locally, they can be stopped.
January 22, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Yesterday in Horsley, Derbyshire, Reform UK were beaten in a local by-election.
That didn’t happen by accident. Local people organised, spoke to voters, and pushed back.
It shows that when Reform are challenged locally, they can be stopped.
That didn’t happen by accident. Local people organised, spoke to voters, and pushed back.
It shows that when Reform are challenged locally, they can be stopped.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Never made sense to do this as a PMB.
A neutral source close to the process in the Lords tells me that the assisted dying bill will run out of time before a vote. At the current rate of debate, that seems likely.
Supporters say the public deserve for the bill to go to a vote, opponents say tough luck, this is due process.
Supporters say the public deserve for the bill to go to a vote, opponents say tough luck, this is due process.
EXC - MPs and peers who backed the assisted dying bill now believe it is “near impossible” for it to pass the House of Lords in time because of procedural obstacles used by opponents.
“It is our system at its absolute most dysfunctional,” one MP said.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
“It is our system at its absolute most dysfunctional,” one MP said.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
January 22, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Never made sense to do this as a PMB.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
January 21, 2026 at 5:46 PM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Nigel Farage has blamed his failure to declare £380,000 of income from TV and speeches on “severe growing pains” since becoming an MP and the fact that “I don’t do computers” ⬇️
Nigel Farage blames aide after breaking MPs’ income rules 17 times
The Reform UK leader apologised for failing to declare £380,000 of outside earnings on time and told the parliamentary watchdog: ‘I don’t do computers’
www.thetimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Nigel Farage has blamed his failure to declare £380,000 of income from TV and speeches on “severe growing pains” since becoming an MP and the fact that “I don’t do computers” ⬇️
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
67% of Reform MPs have previously been elected as representatives of the Conservative Party. They broke the country last time; do you trust them to fix it?
January 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
67% of Reform MPs have previously been elected as representatives of the Conservative Party. They broke the country last time; do you trust them to fix it?
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen ahead of meeting with US:
"Greenland will not be owned by the US, Greenland will not be governed by the US, and Greenland will not be part of the US. We choose Denmark, we choose NATO, we choose the EU."
"Greenland will not be owned by the US, Greenland will not be governed by the US, and Greenland will not be part of the US. We choose Denmark, we choose NATO, we choose the EU."
Grönland dundrar mot Trump: ”Vi väljer Danmark”
Grönlands premiärminister Jens Frederik Nielsen dundrar mot Donald Trump. Ön kommer aldrig ägas av USA, säger han. – Vi väljer Danmark, vi väljer Nato, vi välje
www.aftonbladet.se
January 13, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen ahead of meeting with US:
"Greenland will not be owned by the US, Greenland will not be governed by the US, and Greenland will not be part of the US. We choose Denmark, we choose NATO, we choose the EU."
"Greenland will not be owned by the US, Greenland will not be governed by the US, and Greenland will not be part of the US. We choose Denmark, we choose NATO, we choose the EU."
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
"Nadhim Zahawi, a few years ago you tweeted: 'I'm not British born Mr Nigel Farage, I'm as British you are. Your comments are offensive and racist. I would be frightened to live in a country run by you'"
Nadhim Zahawi has just joined Reform.
Nadhim Zahawi has just joined Reform.
January 12, 2026 at 11:41 AM
"Nadhim Zahawi, a few years ago you tweeted: 'I'm not British born Mr Nigel Farage, I'm as British you are. Your comments are offensive and racist. I would be frightened to live in a country run by you'"
Nadhim Zahawi has just joined Reform.
Nadhim Zahawi has just joined Reform.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Former minister says government should quit X over child sexual abuse imagery – UK politics live
Former minister says government should quit X over child sexual abuse imagery – UK politics live
Louise Haigh says use of Elon Musk’s social media platform ‘unconscionable’ amid proliferation of abuse imagery
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Former minister says government should quit X over child sexual abuse imagery – UK politics live
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
The cold weather is forecast to continue for the rest of this week. The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is currently active in Hastings, with an overnight centre available at Gizmo House in Hastings. Thank you to Warming Up The Homeless for their support in providing this.
January 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM
The cold weather is forecast to continue for the rest of this week. The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is currently active in Hastings, with an overnight centre available at Gizmo House in Hastings. Thank you to Warming Up The Homeless for their support in providing this.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
First rule of the Trump administration: Every accusation is a confession
January 3, 2026 at 6:50 PM
First rule of the Trump administration: Every accusation is a confession
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Number crunching: Telegraph editorial columns in December highlighting ‘the unreliability of social media’ v corrections the Telegraph has had to publish so far this year due to inaccurate reporting
From the new Private Eye, out now.
From the new Private Eye, out now.
December 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Number crunching: Telegraph editorial columns in December highlighting ‘the unreliability of social media’ v corrections the Telegraph has had to publish so far this year due to inaccurate reporting
From the new Private Eye, out now.
From the new Private Eye, out now.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
With a yellow cold health alert in place until 12noon on Monday 5 January, please see details below of the Severe Weather Emergency Provision which is currently active in Hastings.
The Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) has been activated in the Hastings Borough Council area and will remain active until Monday 5 January 2026.
The council has been working with Warming Up The Homeless to provide a place of overnight safety for rough sleepers during the severe weather.
The council has been working with Warming Up The Homeless to provide a place of overnight safety for rough sleepers during the severe weather.
December 29, 2025 at 9:59 AM
With a yellow cold health alert in place until 12noon on Monday 5 January, please see details below of the Severe Weather Emergency Provision which is currently active in Hastings.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Doctors Without Borders urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to death. "At least 13 people, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather and a lack of adequate shelter and aid – blocked by Israel"
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
MSF urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to death
At least 13 people in Gaza, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather.
www.aljazeera.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Doctors Without Borders urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to death. "At least 13 people, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather and a lack of adequate shelter and aid – blocked by Israel"
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Pitch perfect, sadly.
Wednesday’s @thetimes.com cartoon times.newsprints.co.uk/peter-brooke...
December 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Pitch perfect, sadly.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
The story of Farage and Putin, told by British-Ukrainian soldier Shaun Pinner on a destroyed apartment block in Kyiv.
December 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The story of Farage and Putin, told by British-Ukrainian soldier Shaun Pinner on a destroyed apartment block in Kyiv.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
This piece is billed as ‘father of girls thinks misogyny lessons are unnecessary’ but right at the end he actually asks the girls he is confidently speaking on behalf of and they…disagree. Amazing. www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
I’m a father of teen girls. I don’t want misogyny lessons for boys
The government is planning classes to combat prejudice against women. Andrew Billen isn’t sure it will work
www.thetimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:40 AM
This piece is billed as ‘father of girls thinks misogyny lessons are unnecessary’ but right at the end he actually asks the girls he is confidently speaking on behalf of and they…disagree. Amazing. www.thetimes.com/life-style/p...
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
This Government has hugely increased public spending, which will have large in-kind benefits for households.
All families will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they rely more on public services, which represent a larger proportion of their income.
All families will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they rely more on public services, which represent a larger proportion of their income.
December 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This Government has hugely increased public spending, which will have large in-kind benefits for households.
All families will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they rely more on public services, which represent a larger proportion of their income.
All families will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they rely more on public services, which represent a larger proportion of their income.
Reposted by Frances Mapstone
Parliament is properly on Bluesky. Why isn’t government? Asking for a friend (of democracy).
MPs are now considering the Employment Rights Bill: Consideration of Lords message.
Watch live ⬇️ parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Watch live ⬇️ parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
December 15, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Parliament is properly on Bluesky. Why isn’t government? Asking for a friend (of democracy).