Chris Ames
@christoframes.bsky.social
Freelance investigative journalist and writer of original fiction. Creator and one-time editor of the Iraq Inquiry Digest.
“To list every single statement made on behalf of the chief constable that has proved to be inaccurate over this lengthy period would lengthen this judgment considerably.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Judges set to decide fate of police chief constable guilty of contempt of court
Exclusive: Ivan Balhatchet, Northamptonshire’s chief constable, could face up to two years in jail or a fine for repeated failure to obey rulings
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
“To list every single statement made on behalf of the chief constable that has proved to be inaccurate over this lengthy period would lengthen this judgment considerably.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“To list every single statement made on behalf of the chief constable that has proved to be inaccurate over this lengthy period would lengthen this judgment considerably.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Judges set to decide fate of police chief constable guilty of contempt of court
Exclusive: Ivan Balhatchet, Northamptonshire’s chief constable, could face up to two years in jail or a fine for repeated failure to obey rulings
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:48 AM
“To list every single statement made on behalf of the chief constable that has proved to be inaccurate over this lengthy period would lengthen this judgment considerably.”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
To be fair, if anyone deserves no 10 briefing against him it’s Streeting, who is the darling of every centrist pundit & probably this insider & is now trying the Starmer trick of pretending he’s not really very right wing. Will Labour members get fooled again?
The BBC has a very unsupportive government source
Allies warning against contest, rather than saying the contest is on
Allies warning against contest, rather than saying the contest is on
November 12, 2025 at 7:12 AM
To be fair, if anyone deserves no 10 briefing against him it’s Streeting, who is the darling of every centrist pundit & probably this insider & is now trying the Starmer trick of pretending he’s not really very right wing. Will Labour members get fooled again?
More crass client journalism dressed up as an exclusive with ppl given the protection of anonymity bcoz they’re (checks notes) speaking on behalf of their boss
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Starmer allies issue warning to PM’s rivals as fears grow over leadership challenge
Exclusive: No 10 said to be in ‘full bunker mode’ over fears of attempt to oust him after budget or May local elections
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 PM
More crass client journalism dressed up as an exclusive with ppl given the protection of anonymity bcoz they’re (checks notes) speaking on behalf of their boss
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
On my Transport Insights blog, which is free to read and subscribe to, I look at the government's slow progress towards funding the Lower Thames Crossing on the never never, sorry, privately.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/g...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/g...
Going underground?
The process of getting the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing under the ground is rumbling on without any sense of urgency, almost as though the government doesn’t want to do it, but can’t admit it. The s…
transportinsights.blog
November 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
On my Transport Insights blog, which is free to read and subscribe to, I look at the government's slow progress towards funding the Lower Thames Crossing on the never never, sorry, privately.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/g...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/g...
When National Highways say that smart motorways are safe *overall* but that the reports the Department for Transport (DfT) is suppressing are "detailed evaluations of scheme performance", are they trolling the DfT?
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/n...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/n...
National Highways explains suppression of POPE reports
Highways News has, quite rightly, published a response from National Highways on the issue of the suppressed evaluation reports on smart motorways, and it’s one that subtly makes the case for them …
transportinsights.blog
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
When National Highways say that smart motorways are safe *overall* but that the reports the Department for Transport (DfT) is suppressing are "detailed evaluations of scheme performance", are they trolling the DfT?
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/n...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/11/n...
Reposted by Chris Ames
On my Transport Insights blog, which is free to read and free to subscribe, I look at Heidi Alexander's apparent confirmation that Labour is not "backing rail with the funding needed", certainly when it comes to electrification.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
Rail electrification shelved, Alexander confirms
The transport secretary has confirmed that Labour has no plans for further electrification of the rail network, for affordability reasons, once again giving the lie to the rail minister’s claim tha…
transportinsights.blog
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
On my Transport Insights blog, which is free to read and free to subscribe, I look at Heidi Alexander's apparent confirmation that Labour is not "backing rail with the funding needed", certainly when it comes to electrification.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
Reposted by Chris Ames
It looks as if National Highways has been told that the cash will be there to make a big dent in toxic runoff but does not feel able to say so directly until it is confirmed.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
We have cash to tackle toxic runoff, National Highways boss says
The government is providing “substantial capital funds” for a programme to tackle toxic runoff from its network, a top National Highways official has said. The comment from Ivan Le Fevre, the compa…
transportinsights.blog
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It looks as if National Highways has been told that the cash will be there to make a big dent in toxic runoff but does not feel able to say so directly until it is confirmed.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
It looks as if National Highways has been told that the cash will be there to make a big dent in toxic runoff but does not feel able to say so directly until it is confirmed.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
We have cash to tackle toxic runoff, National Highways boss says
The government is providing “substantial capital funds” for a programme to tackle toxic runoff from its network, a top National Highways official has said. The comment from Ivan Le Fevre, the compa…
transportinsights.blog
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It looks as if National Highways has been told that the cash will be there to make a big dent in toxic runoff but does not feel able to say so directly until it is confirmed.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/w...
Reposted by Chris Ames
Is it raining where you are?
Every time it rains, oil, particulate matter, and microplastics from tyre and brake wear is washed off the roads, causing widespread pollution.
National Highways is failing to tackle this problem for our busiest roads
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Every time it rains, oil, particulate matter, and microplastics from tyre and brake wear is washed off the roads, causing widespread pollution.
National Highways is failing to tackle this problem for our busiest roads
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Stop National Highways’ toxic water pollution!
We all know our rivers are polluted. However, it’s not just from sewage, or due to the inaction of failing water companies. What is less talked about, but in many ways worse than sewage and even more ...
actionnetwork.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Is it raining where you are?
Every time it rains, oil, particulate matter, and microplastics from tyre and brake wear is washed off the roads, causing widespread pollution.
National Highways is failing to tackle this problem for our busiest roads
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Every time it rains, oil, particulate matter, and microplastics from tyre and brake wear is washed off the roads, causing widespread pollution.
National Highways is failing to tackle this problem for our busiest roads
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
On my Transport Insights blog, which is free to read and free to subscribe, I look at Heidi Alexander's apparent confirmation that Labour is not "backing rail with the funding needed", certainly when it comes to electrification.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
Rail electrification shelved, Alexander confirms
The transport secretary has confirmed that Labour has no plans for further electrification of the rail network, for affordability reasons, once again giving the lie to the rail minister’s claim tha…
transportinsights.blog
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
On my Transport Insights blog, which is free to read and free to subscribe, I look at Heidi Alexander's apparent confirmation that Labour is not "backing rail with the funding needed", certainly when it comes to electrification.
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
transportinsights.blog/2025/11/10/r...
Reposted by Chris Ames
The Government is still building new Smart Motorways and hoping no one will notice! The LTC is a Smart Motorway in all but name. It is 3-lanes each way, built to motorway standard but with no hard shoulder, and with the technology used by Smart Motorways transportactionnetwork.org.uk/demand-for-t...
Demand for transparency on Smart Motorways
As campaigners call for POPES to be freed on Bonfire Night Smart Motorways are widely seen to have been a failure. Deeply unpopular with road users and breakdown services, they have led to more live l...
transportactionnetwork.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The Government is still building new Smart Motorways and hoping no one will notice! The LTC is a Smart Motorway in all but name. It is 3-lanes each way, built to motorway standard but with no hard shoulder, and with the technology used by Smart Motorways transportactionnetwork.org.uk/demand-for-t...
Reposted by Chris Ames
Look peasants, it's complicated. We NEED more airports and we can't afford to electrify the railways. Stop demanding better or we'll set Farage on you.
EXCL: The Green party is offering “simple solutions to complex problems” and making “undeliverable” promises to voters ahead of next election, PM's chief secretary Darren Jones tells me 👇
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Look peasants, it's complicated. We NEED more airports and we can't afford to electrify the railways. Stop demanding better or we'll set Farage on you.
Reposted by Chris Ames
Darren knows that come the next election, Bristol is turning even more Green.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Darren knows that come the next election, Bristol is turning even more Green.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Chris Ames
When Green party critics call our thoroughly researched policies that are often worked through for years "simplistic" "undeliverable" etc, they are never specific about which policies or why.
That's because it would reveal that what they really mean is "our donors don't like them"
That's because it would reveal that what they really mean is "our donors don't like them"
Darren knows that come the next election, Bristol is turning even more Green.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:52 AM
When Green party critics call our thoroughly researched policies that are often worked through for years "simplistic" "undeliverable" etc, they are never specific about which policies or why.
That's because it would reveal that what they really mean is "our donors don't like them"
That's because it would reveal that what they really mean is "our donors don't like them"
Ludicrous puff piece about a talentless nepo kid from an organisation blowing its own trumpet
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Claudia Winkleman: The rise and rise of the Strictly and Traitors star
She's taken The Traitors to new heights - but what's next comes with risk, too.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Ludicrous puff piece about a talentless nepo kid from an organisation blowing its own trumpet
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Chris Ames
It brings me immeasurable pleasure and joy to announce that the UK Labour Party is entering Cuomofication
At a time when Labour are failing to deliver on one of its key promises the Guardian publishing this drivel as an “exclusive” tells you more about the Guardian’s client journalism and how desperate the Labour right has become than anything else.
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM
It brings me immeasurable pleasure and joy to announce that the UK Labour Party is entering Cuomofication
Reposted by Chris Ames
At a time when Labour are failing to deliver on one of its key promises the Guardian publishing this drivel as an “exclusive” tells you more about the Guardian’s client journalism and how desperate the Labour right has become than anything else.
November 8, 2025 at 7:51 AM
At a time when Labour are failing to deliver on one of its key promises the Guardian publishing this drivel as an “exclusive” tells you more about the Guardian’s client journalism and how desperate the Labour right has become than anything else.
A government minister uses your paper to have a pop at political opponents and that’s somehow an exclusive?
November 8, 2025 at 9:37 AM
A government minister uses your paper to have a pop at political opponents and that’s somehow an exclusive?
A piece in which
whisky professionals commending their contemporaries and friends: “The industry is getting better at giving women credit for the work they do.”
Can't stop the Guardian headline writers saying it's "time for the industry to wake up to women"
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/no...
whisky professionals commending their contemporaries and friends: “The industry is getting better at giving women credit for the work they do.”
Can't stop the Guardian headline writers saying it's "time for the industry to wake up to women"
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/no...
More than a third of whisky drinkers are female. Time for the industry to wake up to women
Female founders and master distillers are making waves in the whisky world –and more women are consuming it too
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A piece in which
whisky professionals commending their contemporaries and friends: “The industry is getting better at giving women credit for the work they do.”
Can't stop the Guardian headline writers saying it's "time for the industry to wake up to women"
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/no...
whisky professionals commending their contemporaries and friends: “The industry is getting better at giving women credit for the work they do.”
Can't stop the Guardian headline writers saying it's "time for the industry to wake up to women"
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/no...
Reposted by Chris Ames
The government is currently drawing up National Highways’ next 5-year budget. This is the perfect time to show how important the issue of water pollution from road runoff is.
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Stop National Highways’ toxic water pollution!
We all know our rivers are polluted. However, it’s not just from sewage, or due to the inaction of failing water companies. What is less talked about, but in many ways worse than sewage and even more ...
actionnetwork.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The government is currently drawing up National Highways’ next 5-year budget. This is the perfect time to show how important the issue of water pollution from road runoff is.
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
A senior Downing Street figure said: “Ben is highly respected across government and this new role is a testament to that. As chief of staff, he’ll be the bridge between No 10 and No 11 and a close confidante to the prime minister”
So glad this source got anonymity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
So glad this source got anonymity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Close Starmer ally Ben Nunn appointed as Rachel Reeves’s chief of staff
Exclusive: Nunn, one of PM’s most trusted advisers, will play key role linking No 10 and No 11 operations
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:17 PM
A senior Downing Street figure said: “Ben is highly respected across government and this new role is a testament to that. As chief of staff, he’ll be the bridge between No 10 and No 11 and a close confidante to the prime minister”
So glad this source got anonymity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
So glad this source got anonymity
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...