Benedict Garman
@benedictgarman.com
Investigative journalist, currently with BBC Verify.
Brilliant and important bit of journalism.
Hate-filled fake videos about London are everywhere. We've obtained a recording of a TikToker confessing to secretly filming Londoners in their homes for clicks.
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
February 8, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Brilliant and important bit of journalism.
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Some archives, but not the latest, have been salvaged: simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they decided …
simonwillison.net
February 7, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Some archives, but not the latest, have been salvaged: simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
'Watching snooker will never be the same again' might seem like hyperbole, but with the loss of John Virgo, it really will never be the same. He was the sound of snooker. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooke...
John Virgo obituary: Snooker, Big Break and BBC commentary - the Salford sage leaves his stage
John Virgo was an excellent snooker player, a hugely popular TV figure, and one of the great voices of his beloved sport.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 4:25 PM
'Watching snooker will never be the same again' might seem like hyperbole, but with the loss of John Virgo, it really will never be the same. He was the sound of snooker. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooke...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Exclusive: Despite new curbs, Elon Musk’s Grok at times produces sexualized images - even when told subjects didn’t consent
Elon Musk’s flagship artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people even when users explicitly warn that the subjects do not consent, Reuters has found.
www.reuters.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles.
January 30, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles.
Reposted by Benedict Garman
I'm not prone to exaggeration but this is probably the biggest scoop I've ever been involved in
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Jeffrey Epstein sent £10,000 to Mandelson’s husband, emails show
Epstein sent Reinaldo Avila da Silva payment in 2009
www.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:34 PM
I'm not prone to exaggeration but this is probably the biggest scoop I've ever been involved in
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
At least one of the newly released Epstein file is already down.
This link no longer appears to work (www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
It contained an FBI email chain outlining an allegation against Trump involving sexual activities with a child.
This is a screenshot from that email chain.
This link no longer appears to work (www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
It contained an FBI email chain outlining an allegation against Trump involving sexual activities with a child.
This is a screenshot from that email chain.
January 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
At least one of the newly released Epstein file is already down.
This link no longer appears to work (www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
It contained an FBI email chain outlining an allegation against Trump involving sexual activities with a child.
This is a screenshot from that email chain.
This link no longer appears to work (www.justice.gov/epstein/file...)
It contained an FBI email chain outlining an allegation against Trump involving sexual activities with a child.
This is a screenshot from that email chain.
Full extended analysis of shooting of Alex Pretti, w/ @rosatkins.bsky.social @tomrjoyner.bsky.social @emmapengelly.bsky.social @paulybrown.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOMX...
Analysing the Minneapolis shooting of Alex Pretti | BBC News
YouTube video by BBC News
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Full extended analysis of shooting of Alex Pretti, w/ @rosatkins.bsky.social @tomrjoyner.bsky.social @emmapengelly.bsky.social @paulybrown.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOMX...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
9 city prosecutors band together to bring charges against federal officers. Called Fight Against Federal Overreach, or FAFO, which NYT says is a "slang term for negative consequences."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 28, 2026 at 1:31 PM
9 city prosecutors band together to bring charges against federal officers. Called Fight Against Federal Overreach, or FAFO, which NYT says is a "slang term for negative consequences."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Satellite imagery shows the Israeli military has just paved one of its bases deep inside Gaza. “This looks like Israel digging in rather than preparing to leave,” said @drhahellyer.bsky.social "It signals a clear lack of commitment to Phase 2." www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
BBC Verify: What tracking data and satellite imagery can tell us about US forces in the Gulf
Latest updates from the BBC's specialists in fact-checking, verifying video and tackling disinformation.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Satellite imagery shows the Israeli military has just paved one of its bases deep inside Gaza. “This looks like Israel digging in rather than preparing to leave,” said @drhahellyer.bsky.social "It signals a clear lack of commitment to Phase 2." www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
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.
Ros Atkins on Kristi Noem/ DHS vs the video evidence www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
January 25, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Ros Atkins on Kristi Noem/ DHS vs the video evidence www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
Kristi Noem/ DHS vs the video evidence. Analysis for Verify w/ @emmapengelly.bsky.social building on verification work by @paulybrown.bsky.social
1) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
2) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
1) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
2) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
January 25, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Kristi Noem/ DHS vs the video evidence. Analysis for Verify w/ @emmapengelly.bsky.social building on verification work by @paulybrown.bsky.social
1) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
2) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
1) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
2) www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Two weeks since Iran shut off the internet. Since then, BBC Persian and BBC Verify have verified around 100 videos which have made it out. But we've seen the flow dwindle.
Most are from Tehran, many from Kahrizak. Some from Rasht.
From the BBC Verify live page today: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...
Most are from Tehran, many from Kahrizak. Some from Rasht.
From the BBC Verify live page today: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...
January 22, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Two weeks since Iran shut off the internet. Since then, BBC Persian and BBC Verify have verified around 100 videos which have made it out. But we've seen the flow dwindle.
Most are from Tehran, many from Kahrizak. Some from Rasht.
From the BBC Verify live page today: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...
Most are from Tehran, many from Kahrizak. Some from Rasht.
From the BBC Verify live page today: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Trump’s Board of Peace logo is basically the UN logo, except dipped in gold and edited so the world only includes America.
January 22, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Trump’s Board of Peace logo is basically the UN logo, except dipped in gold and edited so the world only includes America.
Reposted by Benedict Garman
The Board of Peace comprises leaders from 18 of the world's least democratic states (plus the US) and its charter pledges $1 billion from each of them to be used at the discretion of the board's chairman (you already know who it is) www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
January 22, 2026 at 11:37 AM
The Board of Peace comprises leaders from 18 of the world's least democratic states (plus the US) and its charter pledges $1 billion from each of them to be used at the discretion of the board's chairman (you already know who it is) www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-ch...
Reports by both ABC News and WaPo that 1500 troops have been put on alert for potential deployment to Minnesota, according to two defense officials. abcnews.go.com/US/live-upda...
January 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Reports by both ABC News and WaPo that 1500 troops have been put on alert for potential deployment to Minnesota, according to two defense officials. abcnews.go.com/US/live-upda...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on countries that have shown support for Greenland is pushing transatlantic relations to a breaking point as EU leaders contemplate ways of retaliating against Washington that until now have been unthinkable.
Hit back at Trump? Europe mulls unthinkable options as Greenland threats ramp up tensions
Senior politicians want the EU to deploy its trade bazooka against the United States over Trump’s Greenland claims. Capitals aren’t so sure.
www.politico.eu
January 18, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on countries that have shown support for Greenland is pushing transatlantic relations to a breaking point as EU leaders contemplate ways of retaliating against Washington that until now have been unthinkable.
Reposted by Benedict Garman
My last two shots before my world went dark.
January 17, 2026 at 9:55 PM
My last two shots before my world went dark.
Translation: wtaf. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Faisal Islam: Trump's Greenland threats to allies are without parallel
The US president's latest threats will baffle the leaders of allied nations, writes the BBC's economics editor.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Translation: wtaf. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is beginning to feel routine www.npr.org/2026/01/16/n...
Justice Department opens investigation into Minnesota governor and Minneapolis mayor
Federal prosecutors are investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. In response to the news, Frey said in a social media post: "I will not be intimidated."
www.npr.org
January 17, 2026 at 6:44 AM
This is beginning to feel routine www.npr.org/2026/01/16/n...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Israel is moving the yellow blocks that mark its control line further into Gaza. We mapped more than 220. In at least 16 cases the IDF placed them then came back and moved them deeper again. Some are around half a km beyond the mapped line. W/ @emmapengelly.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Israel moves Yellow Line deeper into Gaza, satellite images show
Israel placed and later moved control markers in three areas, with placed deeper inside Gaza than maps suggested.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 7:10 AM
Israel is moving the yellow blocks that mark its control line further into Gaza. We mapped more than 220. In at least 16 cases the IDF placed them then came back and moved them deeper again. Some are around half a km beyond the mapped line. W/ @emmapengelly.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Benedict Garman
Once upon a time, a President of the United States saying "fuck you" and raising his middle finger to an American factory worker would be front page news around the world. Now it's a "colour lede" on a business analysis. www.ft.com/content/36ab...
January 16, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Once upon a time, a President of the United States saying "fuck you" and raising his middle finger to an American factory worker would be front page news around the world. Now it's a "colour lede" on a business analysis. www.ft.com/content/36ab...