Cat Neilan
@catneilan.bsky.social
Whitehall Editor for the Observer. Politics, investigations and taramasalata
Pinned
‘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
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 Cat Neilan
Exclusive: ‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Exclusive: ‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
w/ Dan Boffey and @drblacklock.bsky.social
Reposted by Cat Neilan
So proud of the work me @catneilan.bsky.social and @coramazov.bsky.social have done!
Read our investigation here!
Read our investigation here!
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
share.google
November 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
So proud of the work me @catneilan.bsky.social and @coramazov.bsky.social have done!
Read our investigation here!
Read our investigation here!
Reposted by Cat Neilan
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay.
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay.
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation.
Read more as @catneilan.bsky.social reports:
https://bit.ly/4r44qGR
Reposted by Cat Neilan
"McSweeney was “ripped to shreds” by Labour peers over his lack of answers. “They were asking difficult but obvious questions – and he didn’t have answers to anything.""
Starmer's removal is "inevitable now," says one minister
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
After the week No 10 lost control, warning that chaos is ‘probably fatal’ for Starmer | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:32 AM
"McSweeney was “ripped to shreds” by Labour peers over his lack of answers. “They were asking difficult but obvious questions – and he didn’t have answers to anything.""
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Not sure this is any way to run an economy
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Not sure this is any way to run an economy
Reposted by Cat Neilan
This is quite a story
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
share.google
November 16, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This is quite a story
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Political authority, like market confidence, is easy to lose and hard to regain - @catneilan.bsky.social and I report on the week that No 10 lost control observer.co.uk/news/politic...
After the week No 10 lost control, warning that chaos is ‘probably fatal’ for Starmer | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Political authority, like market confidence, is easy to lose and hard to regain - @catneilan.bsky.social and I report on the week that No 10 lost control observer.co.uk/news/politic...
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
‘Saviour of Papa Johns’ accused of taking unlawful slice of foreign workers’ pay | The Observer
share.google
November 16, 2025 at 9:36 AM
🚨 Read our investigation into "Papa Johns saviour", how he exploited migrant workers and threatened to cancel visas if they complained
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
This week, he was still on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors. As a result of our work, that's no longer the case 👇
share.google/VFDvHHCxcfza...
Starmer's removal is "inevitable now," says one minister
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
After the week No 10 lost control, warning that chaos is ‘probably fatal’ for Starmer | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Starmer's removal is "inevitable now," says one minister
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
The chaos united previously "mutually suspicious" people against the PM, says another
But what caused it? Sources say a row between Wes Streeting and Morgan McSweeney weeks ago may have been key 👇
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Went to a care home with Angela Rayner to talk about what's next, Labour infighting, and boosting pay for carers
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Angela Rayner makes vow to Brits in first interview since losing Deputy PM job
The former Deputy Labour Leader slapped down the infighting that engulfed Labour this week, condemning it as 'arrogant tittle tattle', and called for a focus on the issues
www.mirror.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Went to a care home with Angela Rayner to talk about what's next, Labour infighting, and boosting pay for carers
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
“In all of this, of course, she was a newspaper’s dream."
Remembering Rachel Cooke (1969-2025). The Observer journalist was the heart and soul of the paper for 25 years. She leaves an extraordinary legacy.
https://bit.ly/4ib8GjN
Remembering Rachel Cooke (1969-2025). The Observer journalist was the heart and soul of the paper for 25 years. She leaves an extraordinary legacy.
https://bit.ly/4ib8GjN
November 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
“In all of this, of course, she was a newspaper’s dream."
Remembering Rachel Cooke (1969-2025). The Observer journalist was the heart and soul of the paper for 25 years. She leaves an extraordinary legacy.
https://bit.ly/4ib8GjN
Remembering Rachel Cooke (1969-2025). The Observer journalist was the heart and soul of the paper for 25 years. She leaves an extraordinary legacy.
https://bit.ly/4ib8GjN
Reposted by Cat Neilan
If you listen to this week's #TheNakedWeek, we can't be *entirely* sure that you won't be sued. Or that you won't become the next Director-General of the BBC. Worth a pop either way, I reckon. 📻 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Naked Week - Series 3 - Trump, Traitors, and RIP Tim Davie - BBC Sounds
This week the team fundraise for the BBC, welcome a traitor, and necromance a potato.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If you listen to this week's #TheNakedWeek, we can't be *entirely* sure that you won't be sued. Or that you won't become the next Director-General of the BBC. Worth a pop either way, I reckon. 📻 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
No, it's nothing to do with witches
But The Naked Week's latest investigation is something to do with Papa Johns, the exploitation of migrant workers - and action taken by the Home Office as a result of our work
With @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But The Naked Week's latest investigation is something to do with Papa Johns, the exploitation of migrant workers - and action taken by the Home Office as a result of our work
With @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Naked Week - Series 3 - Trump, Traitors, and RIP Tim Davie - BBC Sounds
This week the team fundraise for the BBC, welcome a traitor, and necromance a potato.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:36 PM
No, it's nothing to do with witches
But The Naked Week's latest investigation is something to do with Papa Johns, the exploitation of migrant workers - and action taken by the Home Office as a result of our work
With @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
But The Naked Week's latest investigation is something to do with Papa Johns, the exploitation of migrant workers - and action taken by the Home Office as a result of our work
With @coramazov.bsky.social and @freyashaw.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Latest from fighting Reform in Kent: libraries and tips in danger as they plan at least £42m in cuts.
These guys are worse than the Conservatives.
These guys are worse than the Conservatives.
‘We’re looking at everything’: Tip and library closures could be back on the table
The closure of the county’s tips and libraries has become a real possibility once more, it emerged this morning.
www.kentonline.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Latest from fighting Reform in Kent: libraries and tips in danger as they plan at least £42m in cuts.
These guys are worse than the Conservatives.
These guys are worse than the Conservatives.
It also explains why he didn't sack Nandy, who the standards commissioner said had breached the code for public appointments (unlike Rayner, who was found not to have breached the code of conduct)
Starmer forced to apologise for giving public job to donor
If this was the Tories, Labour would be jumping up and down about this…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If this was the Tories, Labour would be jumping up and down about this…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer expresses ‘sincere regret’ over appointment of Labour donor to football watchdog
Prime minister apologises for rubber-stamping decision to make David Kogan head of regulator
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:36 AM
It also explains why he didn't sack Nandy, who the standards commissioner said had breached the code for public appointments (unlike Rayner, who was found not to have breached the code of conduct)
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Starmer forced to apologise for giving public job to donor
If this was the Tories, Labour would be jumping up and down about this…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If this was the Tories, Labour would be jumping up and down about this…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer expresses ‘sincere regret’ over appointment of Labour donor to football watchdog
Prime minister apologises for rubber-stamping decision to make David Kogan head of regulator
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Starmer forced to apologise for giving public job to donor
If this was the Tories, Labour would be jumping up and down about this…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If this was the Tories, Labour would be jumping up and down about this…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The leadership stuff is nothing new - we have been talking about the Budget being a flashpoint for months
But this week was - for once - all about someone else losing their job
Totally self inflicted, and likely self-fulfilling prophecy
But this week was - for once - all about someone else losing their job
Totally self inflicted, and likely self-fulfilling prophecy
“The bad headlines for Labour this morning are deliberate and self-inflicted. On one level, No 10 isn’t wrong to be paranoid – Labour MPs really are furious, and really are talking about replacing Starmer. But on the flipside, it is hard to see what they’ve gained by saying it.”
‘Next-level ineptitude’: The coup against Starmer may finish off McSweeney
No 10’s briefings about a plot against the prime minister are the work of his unpopular chief of staff
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The leadership stuff is nothing new - we have been talking about the Budget being a flashpoint for months
But this week was - for once - all about someone else losing their job
Totally self inflicted, and likely self-fulfilling prophecy
But this week was - for once - all about someone else losing their job
Totally self inflicted, and likely self-fulfilling prophecy
Reposted by Cat Neilan
This is the march the Polish president chose to grace with his presence today.
November 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This is the march the Polish president chose to grace with his presence today.
"The central character in this is Robbie Gibb [who] has for the last four years worked to dismantle what he sees as the liberal bias in the BBC."
‘Their resignations should be called out for what they are: political interference that will inhibit the work of BBC journalists and undermine the public’s trust in BBC news’
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC
https://bit.ly/4qW3MeA
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC
https://bit.ly/4qW3MeA
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC | The Observer
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
"The central character in this is Robbie Gibb [who] has for the last four years worked to dismantle what he sees as the liberal bias in the BBC."
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
The Department for Business and Trade’s own figures show that the UK imported £80m in Russian goods in the year to June 2025, an increase of 21% on previous year. Nearly half – £36m – came from spending on Russian aircraft parts.
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Anger as £38m is spent on plane imports from Russia | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The Department for Business and Trade’s own figures show that the UK imported £80m in Russian goods in the year to June 2025, an increase of 21% on previous year. Nearly half – £36m – came from spending on Russian aircraft parts.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
British origin aerospace steels have traceability down to the level of knowing which scrap merchant the constituent raw materials came from.
But yet Russian origin material can just leak in.
But yet Russian origin material can just leak in.
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Anger as £38m is spent on plane imports from Russia | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
British origin aerospace steels have traceability down to the level of knowing which scrap merchant the constituent raw materials came from.
But yet Russian origin material can just leak in.
But yet Russian origin material can just leak in.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
We've had like 36 'rounds' (whatever that may mean) of sanctions on Russia, and aircraft parts come from, I hope, certified supply chains, and yet?
Govt competence is terrible? Or does it show sanctions are almost useless and performative.
Govt competence is terrible? Or does it show sanctions are almost useless and performative.
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Anger as £38m is spent on plane imports from Russia | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:11 AM
We've had like 36 'rounds' (whatever that may mean) of sanctions on Russia, and aircraft parts come from, I hope, certified supply chains, and yet?
Govt competence is terrible? Or does it show sanctions are almost useless and performative.
Govt competence is terrible? Or does it show sanctions are almost useless and performative.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Concerning!
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Anger as £38m is spent on plane imports from Russia | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Concerning!
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Sanction evasion incl by way of Russia's trading partners (i.e. India, Caucasus, Central Asia) has plagued the West since the war began - Germany and Bulgaria conducted raids in the summer against firms who were evading.
Incredibly embarrassing for the UK, most vocal in this, to be failing too.
Incredibly embarrassing for the UK, most vocal in this, to be failing too.
Exclusive: Officials are urgently trying to establish whether a £36m purchase of Russian aircraft breached the UK's sanctions regime
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government only discovered it had happened after being alerted by @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Anger as £38m is spent on plane imports from Russia | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Sanction evasion incl by way of Russia's trading partners (i.e. India, Caucasus, Central Asia) has plagued the West since the war began - Germany and Bulgaria conducted raids in the summer against firms who were evading.
Incredibly embarrassing for the UK, most vocal in this, to be failing too.
Incredibly embarrassing for the UK, most vocal in this, to be failing too.