Cat Neilan
@catneilan.bsky.social
Whitehall Editor for the Observer & chief investigator for BBC R4's The Naked Week. Politics, investigations and taramasalata
Pinned
McSweeney ‘asked if Mandelson US embassy role could be pa...
PM’s chief of staff sought advice on behalf of disgraced former Labour peer, senior government sources claim
observer.co.uk
Exclusive: Morgan McSweeney sought official advice about whether Mandelson could be the UK's ambassador to the US on a part-time basis
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Exclusive: Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons was provided with intelligence files gathered on journalists (including me) who had reported on Labour Together, the thinktank he chaired at the time (before he became an MP), sources say.
Know more about this story? Contact me, Signal: henrydyer.01
Know more about this story? Contact me, Signal: henrydyer.01
Labour minister was provided with intelligence files on journalists
Exclusive: Material gathered was personally given to Josh Simons when chair of pro-Starmer thinktank, say sources
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Exclusive: Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons was provided with intelligence files gathered on journalists (including me) who had reported on Labour Together, the thinktank he chaired at the time (before he became an MP), sources say.
Know more about this story? Contact me, Signal: henrydyer.01
Know more about this story? Contact me, Signal: henrydyer.01
* Mandelson's Global Counsel shares sold to Rebecca Park, who replaces Ben Wegg Prosser as chief exec
* BWP says "With the completion of the divestment of Peter Mandelson’s stake in the business, I feel that now is the time to draw a line between Global Counsel and his actions."
* BWP says "With the completion of the divestment of Peter Mandelson’s stake in the business, I feel that now is the time to draw a line between Global Counsel and his actions."
February 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM
* Mandelson's Global Counsel shares sold to Rebecca Park, who replaces Ben Wegg Prosser as chief exec
* BWP says "With the completion of the divestment of Peter Mandelson’s stake in the business, I feel that now is the time to draw a line between Global Counsel and his actions."
* BWP says "With the completion of the divestment of Peter Mandelson’s stake in the business, I feel that now is the time to draw a line between Global Counsel and his actions."
Global Counsel's website updated - no mention of Ben Wegg Prosser
February 6, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Global Counsel's website updated - no mention of Ben Wegg Prosser
Labour MPs are advising each other not to go away over February recess, so quickly could the end come for Starmer
"It's imminent," says one minister
He's "dead in the water," says another senior MP
observer.co.uk/news/the-sen...
"It's imminent," says one minister
He's "dead in the water," says another senior MP
observer.co.uk/news/the-sen...
‘Dead in the water’: Labour MPs acknowledge that this may...
The prime minister is struggling to distance himself from Peter Mandelson
observer.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Labour MPs are advising each other not to go away over February recess, so quickly could the end come for Starmer
"It's imminent," says one minister
He's "dead in the water," says another senior MP
observer.co.uk/news/the-sen...
"It's imminent," says one minister
He's "dead in the water," says another senior MP
observer.co.uk/news/the-sen...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
I was working with @direthoughts.com when he broke the first stories about Labour Together's funding way back in 2021.
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I was working with @direthoughts.com when he broke the first stories about Labour Together's funding way back in 2021.
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Now it turns out they were paying private investigators to investigate him for reporting on them and Morgan McSweeney knew about it
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
This is really quite shocking
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:18 PM
This is really quite shocking
The ISC might argue that this will be a relatively quick release ("very shortly") but sources saying the opposite. One saying it will be an "iterative" process between ISC and Cab Sec
The two page (ish) dossier pulled together by PET based on public domain info is likely to be released first
The two page (ish) dossier pulled together by PET based on public domain info is likely to be released first
Letter to the prime minister from parliament's intelligence & security committee - when will you send us the withheld Mandelson documents so we can decide whether to release them?
February 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The ISC might argue that this will be a relatively quick release ("very shortly") but sources saying the opposite. One saying it will be an "iterative" process between ISC and Cab Sec
The two page (ish) dossier pulled together by PET based on public domain info is likely to be released first
The two page (ish) dossier pulled together by PET based on public domain info is likely to be released first
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Keir Starmer needs another 44 days to overtake Rishi Sunak’s stay as PM
February 4, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Keir Starmer needs another 44 days to overtake Rishi Sunak’s stay as PM
Reposted by Cat Neilan
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
I'd echo this. The mood in the last couple of hours has got *extremely* dark.
I have never seen anger like this on the Labour benches in private and in public. This is the kind of territory where things can move very fast.
February 4, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I'd echo this. The mood in the last couple of hours has got *extremely* dark.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
“Brutal” is how one Labour MP describes PMQs, saying that, unlike previous weeks when back benchers have had Starmer’s back, there was “no willing him [the PM] on” this time. Feels like a dangerous few hours for the government.
February 4, 2026 at 2:38 PM
“Brutal” is how one Labour MP describes PMQs, saying that, unlike previous weeks when back benchers have had Starmer’s back, there was “no willing him [the PM] on” this time. Feels like a dangerous few hours for the government.
And a lot of feathers were ruffled, both here and in the States, about her removal
It is worth recalling that the position of U.K. Ambassador to the US was not vacant at the time the Prime Minister chose to appoint Peter Mandelson to the role. A highly competent and respected woman was replaced.
February 4, 2026 at 2:38 PM
And a lot of feathers were ruffled, both here and in the States, about her removal
Exclusive: Morgan McSweeney sought official advice about whether Mandelson could be the UK's ambassador to the US on a part-time basis
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
McSweeney ‘asked if Mandelson US embassy role could be pa...
PM’s chief of staff sought advice on behalf of disgraced former Labour peer, senior government sources claim
observer.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Exclusive: Morgan McSweeney sought official advice about whether Mandelson could be the UK's ambassador to the US on a part-time basis
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
EXC: Disgraced peer Peter Mandelson was directly involved in helping Morgan McSweeney select Labour’s parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, a party whistleblower told The i Paper.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Mandelson was given secret spreadsheet to vet left-wing MPs in Labour power struggle
The revelation shows the extent of Mandelson’s direct involvement in the bitter battle to gain control of the party ahead of the 2024 general election
inews.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:29 PM
EXC: Disgraced peer Peter Mandelson was directly involved in helping Morgan McSweeney select Labour’s parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, a party whistleblower told The i Paper.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
In an otherwise utterly grim saga this is, I'm sorry, hilarious. Epstein, the recipient of Mandelson's leaks chides him for being indiscreet and betraying his bosses in his autobiography.
February 4, 2026 at 11:57 AM
In an otherwise utterly grim saga this is, I'm sorry, hilarious. Epstein, the recipient of Mandelson's leaks chides him for being indiscreet and betraying his bosses in his autobiography.
Keir Starmer is going further than he has done before on Mandelson
Says he "lied repeatedly" to his team and that he "regret[s] having ever appointed him"
Starmer has agreed with the King to remove Mandelson from Privy Council
Says he "lied repeatedly" to his team and that he "regret[s] having ever appointed him"
Starmer has agreed with the King to remove Mandelson from Privy Council
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Keir Starmer is going further than he has done before on Mandelson
Says he "lied repeatedly" to his team and that he "regret[s] having ever appointed him"
Starmer has agreed with the King to remove Mandelson from Privy Council
Says he "lied repeatedly" to his team and that he "regret[s] having ever appointed him"
Starmer has agreed with the King to remove Mandelson from Privy Council
Reposted by Cat Neilan
NEW: "Since @theobserveruk.bsky.social reported on the expansion of the Trump family’s business interests during the second administration, in May 2025, analysts estimate the family’s net worth has increased by several billion dollars"
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
February 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
NEW: "Since @theobserveruk.bsky.social reported on the expansion of the Trump family’s business interests during the second administration, in May 2025, analysts estimate the family’s net worth has increased by several billion dollars"
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Breaking: the head of DOGE in Kent has resigned.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
February 3, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Breaking: the head of DOGE in Kent has resigned.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
My impression of Matthew was that he was a decent man leading a fundamentally ill-conceived project.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Times:
The Metropolitan Police is expected to announced on Tuesday evening that Mandelson is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Metropolitan Police is expected to announced on Tuesday evening that Mandelson is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
February 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Times:
The Metropolitan Police is expected to announced on Tuesday evening that Mandelson is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Metropolitan Police is expected to announced on Tuesday evening that Mandelson is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
If you just can't get enough of me talking about PornHub you can get another fix on the latest episode of The News Meeting with @catneilan.bsky.social and @serenacesareo.bsky.social @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/listen/the-n...
February 3, 2026 at 10:21 AM
If you just can't get enough of me talking about PornHub you can get another fix on the latest episode of The News Meeting with @catneilan.bsky.social and @serenacesareo.bsky.social @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/listen/the-n...
Looking back fondly on this quote Mandelson gave me last September
"I do not, and have never, lobbied government on behalf of any commercial interest," he added.
February 3, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Looking back fondly on this quote Mandelson gave me last September
Reposted by Cat Neilan
the problem with this newfound “bursary” argument aired in the Times is this:
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
February 2, 2026 at 9:31 PM
the problem with this newfound “bursary” argument aired in the Times is this:
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
twhen we first heard about these payments in September a person close to Mandelson said it couldn’t possibly be the case and, er, threatened to sue us
Reposted by Cat Neilan
There's more.
On 31 March 2010, Lord Mandelson's principal private secretary sent him a note of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Larry Summers, US Treasury Secretary.
Lord Mandelson forwarded it to Jeffrey Epstein five minutes later.
On 31 March 2010, Lord Mandelson's principal private secretary sent him a note of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Larry Summers, US Treasury Secretary.
Lord Mandelson forwarded it to Jeffrey Epstein five minutes later.
February 2, 2026 at 8:30 PM
There's more.
On 31 March 2010, Lord Mandelson's principal private secretary sent him a note of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Larry Summers, US Treasury Secretary.
Lord Mandelson forwarded it to Jeffrey Epstein five minutes later.
On 31 March 2010, Lord Mandelson's principal private secretary sent him a note of a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Larry Summers, US Treasury Secretary.
Lord Mandelson forwarded it to Jeffrey Epstein five minutes later.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Sources tell me (as per @hzeffman.bsky.social) that John Pond who was copied into the emails forwarded to Epstein was in fact Gordon Brown - a code name for aides stored in their contacts.
Emails intended for the prime minister went directly to the disgraced financier.
Emails intended for the prime minister went directly to the disgraced financier.
February 2, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Sources tell me (as per @hzeffman.bsky.social) that John Pond who was copied into the emails forwarded to Epstein was in fact Gordon Brown - a code name for aides stored in their contacts.
Emails intended for the prime minister went directly to the disgraced financier.
Emails intended for the prime minister went directly to the disgraced financier.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Alistair Darling and the official Treasury were always aware that investment banks had an inside track to Number 10. But the brazen nature of that inside track is rather breath-taking.
Who leaked this Number 10 discussion to Jeffrey Epstein? And are there consequences for the leaker?
It’s an internal discussion re. getting markets moving in the aftermath of the financial crisis. No doubt of great interest to Epstein and his financial market clients.
It’s an internal discussion re. getting markets moving in the aftermath of the financial crisis. No doubt of great interest to Epstein and his financial market clients.
February 2, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Alistair Darling and the official Treasury were always aware that investment banks had an inside track to Number 10. But the brazen nature of that inside track is rather breath-taking.