Deborah Coles
@debcoles13.bsky.social
Director @INQUEST_org expertise on contentious deaths & their investigation. Social justice research & policy. Feminist. Abolitionist. Advisor @cleanbrk
No surprises here then. Just talk to families of those whose relatives have died after police violence and neglect - read inquest and inquiry reports going back decades. A commissioner who denies institutional racism. A system incapable of reform. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Anti-black discrimination systemic in Met Police, report finds
Report author Dr Shereen Daniels said systemic racism was "not a matter of perception".
www.bbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
No surprises here then. Just talk to families of those whose relatives have died after police violence and neglect - read inquest and inquiry reports going back decades. A commissioner who denies institutional racism. A system incapable of reform. www.bbc.com/news/article...
“……there appears to be a growing pattern of undercover officers raising mental ill-health as a reason that they should not attend the inquiry to give oral evidence” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Doreen Lawrence calls for ‘cowardly’ undercover officer to face public inquiry
Mother of murdered teenager to challenge ruling that David Hagan is too ill to give live evidence at spycops inquiry
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:21 AM
“……there appears to be a growing pattern of undercover officers raising mental ill-health as a reason that they should not attend the inquiry to give oral evidence” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Deborah Coles
MP's will debate Hillsborough Law for the first time on Monday.
The Bill is a critical opportunity to right past wrongs and end cover-up culture. It must be implemented in full.
We've teamed up with JUSTICE and Hillsborough Law Now to brief MP's ahead of the debate.
Read the briefing:
The Bill is a critical opportunity to right past wrongs and end cover-up culture. It must be implemented in full.
We've teamed up with JUSTICE and Hillsborough Law Now to brief MP's ahead of the debate.
Read the briefing:
www.inquest.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM
MP's will debate Hillsborough Law for the first time on Monday.
The Bill is a critical opportunity to right past wrongs and end cover-up culture. It must be implemented in full.
We've teamed up with JUSTICE and Hillsborough Law Now to brief MP's ahead of the debate.
Read the briefing:
The Bill is a critical opportunity to right past wrongs and end cover-up culture. It must be implemented in full.
We've teamed up with JUSTICE and Hillsborough Law Now to brief MP's ahead of the debate.
Read the briefing:
“No mother wants to see her son splayed out on the ground, riddled with bullets.”
State violence on a huge scale devastates communities. Those responsible need to be held to account.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
State violence on a huge scale devastates communities. Those responsible need to be held to account.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Thousands join protests in Rio favela after deadliest ever police raid
Demonstrators demand inquiry after operation on Tuesday in which at least 121 people were killed
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
“No mother wants to see her son splayed out on the ground, riddled with bullets.”
State violence on a huge scale devastates communities. Those responsible need to be held to account.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
State violence on a huge scale devastates communities. Those responsible need to be held to account.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Deborah Coles
The Bloody Sunday Murder Trial Shows the Reality of British Justice — by John Finucane MP
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
@finucanecentre.bsky.social
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
@finucanecentre.bsky.social
The Bloody Sunday Murder Trial Shows the Reality of British Justice
Today’s court verdict on Soldier F is the latest act of self-protection from a state that won’t hold its agents to account even if they kill, writes John Finucane.
tribunemag.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The Bloody Sunday Murder Trial Shows the Reality of British Justice — by John Finucane MP
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
@finucanecentre.bsky.social
tribunemag.co.uk/2025/10/the-...
@finucanecentre.bsky.social
During first 10 years of the spending cuts that began in 2010, councils’ funding for youth services in Eng & Wales suffered a real-terms cut of 70%. By 2023, about 1,200 publicly run youth centres had closed, & more than 4,500 youth workers had lost their jobs. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Britain's youth clubs have been quietly decimated. What's most revealing is that few seem to care | John Harris
These vital spaces have been the first targets of cuts in a nation that favours age over youth – despite being the remedy for blights such as social division, polarisation and loneliness, says Guardia...
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
During first 10 years of the spending cuts that began in 2010, councils’ funding for youth services in Eng & Wales suffered a real-terms cut of 70%. By 2023, about 1,200 publicly run youth centres had closed, & more than 4,500 youth workers had lost their jobs. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“These amendments are rooted in what families have been demanding for years: stop sending children to unsafe, inappropriate places and start investing in community-based support that centres care, not detention.” morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pare...
Parents of teenager unlawfully killed in mental health hospital call for legislative changes
THE family of a 14-year-old unlawfully killed while detained in a mental health hospital are calling for urgent legislative changes to better protect children and guarantee access to family support.Ru...
morningstaronline.co.uk
October 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
“These amendments are rooted in what families have been demanding for years: stop sending children to unsafe, inappropriate places and start investing in community-based support that centres care, not detention.” morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pare...
Vital work of museum of homelessness @ourmoh.bsky.social
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
Our investigation finds that 1611 people experiencing homelessness died in 2024 - a 9% increase on the previous year. — Museum of Homelessness
We are devastated to share our latest research into the deaths of those who die. It has revealed the continued impact at the sharpest edge of the homelessness crisis, as the Labour Government has fail...
museumofhomelessness.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Vital work of museum of homelessness @ourmoh.bsky.social
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
“These harmful policies isolate people from community, support and healthcare, and deny them dignity. Amid racist rhetoric around immigration, we must remember the real human cost.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Home Office ‘missed opportunities’ to assess asylum seeker who took his own life
Leonard Farruku died onboard the Bibby Stockholm in December 2023.
www.independent.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
“These harmful policies isolate people from community, support and healthcare, and deny them dignity. Amid racist rhetoric around immigration, we must remember the real human cost.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Racism, misogyny, violence and corruption. Reports, recommendations and promises of change. Policing has proved itself incapable of reform. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Met plunged into crisis amid fresh claims of misogyny and racism
Commissioner Mark Rowley says prejudice has ‘put down deep roots’ within force after BBC Panorama investigation
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Racism, misogyny, violence and corruption. Reports, recommendations and promises of change. Policing has proved itself incapable of reform. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No surprises here then. Racism, misogyny and violence endemic in policing culture, policy and practice. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Met officers suspended over alleged abuse of suspects and support for Tommy Robinson
BBC’s Panorama to broadcast allegations about Charing Cross station after sending evidence to police chiefs
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
No surprises here then. Racism, misogyny and violence endemic in policing culture, policy and practice. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“The mismatch between the realities of asylum seekers’ lives and the increasingly hateful rhetoric of shouty politicians, amplified by large sections of the media and social media, has never been greater.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A grim week of migrant-bashing, and for what? People will suffer – and Labour will gain absolutely nothing | Diane Taylor
British politicians’ rhetoric has become increasingly shouty and hateful. And now the home secretary has joined the chorus, says writer Diane Taylor
www.theguardian.com
September 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
“The mismatch between the realities of asylum seekers’ lives and the increasingly hateful rhetoric of shouty politicians, amplified by large sections of the media and social media, has never been greater.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Deborah Coles
Strong MP turnout for @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social Westminster Hall debate on Hillsborough Law. The Govt must enact a full Hillsborough Law - with a legal duty of candour and equality of arms. It’s not a technicality - it’s a moral imperative.
Watch the full debate www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Watch the full debate www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
September 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Strong MP turnout for @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social Westminster Hall debate on Hillsborough Law. The Govt must enact a full Hillsborough Law - with a legal duty of candour and equality of arms. It’s not a technicality - it’s a moral imperative.
Watch the full debate www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Watch the full debate www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Reposted by Deborah Coles
this is why they proscribed PA isn’t it
Elbit, the Israeli company that was Palestine Action's primary target, is close to winning a £2bn MoD contract to train British soldiers. The idea that as genocide continues it's "business as usual" is why thousands plan to shut down the DSEi arms fair on 9 Sept www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-clos...
UK close to giving Israel's Elbit £2bn contract to train British soldiers
Elbit, which was the primary target of Palestine Action's activism, is close to winning a contract that would allow it to train 60,000 troops per year, according to Private Eye
www.middleeasteye.net
August 22, 2025 at 7:14 AM
this is why they proscribed PA isn’t it
“It would be easy to be distracted by the failings of one individual. However shocking that conduct might have been, it is paramount that the other wider and more important issues are acknowledged and addressed”. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Girl left unwatched by agency worker at psychiatric unit was unlawfully killed, inquest finds
Jury finds failings of worker before Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, took own life amount to gross negligence manslaughter
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“It would be easy to be distracted by the failings of one individual. However shocking that conduct might have been, it is paramount that the other wider and more important issues are acknowledged and addressed”. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Despite the best efforts of the Scottish police federation they fail in their attempts to derail the Inquiry. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Chair of Sheku Bayoh inquiry refuses to step down
Lord Bracadale has ruled out stepping down after the Scottish Police Federation questioned his impartiality.
www.bbc.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Despite the best efforts of the Scottish police federation they fail in their attempts to derail the Inquiry. www.bbc.com/news/article...
“They have the most advanced technology and know exactly where the missile will fall and who the target is. How could this be a mistake? A ‘mistake’ that killed both of my children!” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Killing of young siblings at Gaza water point shows seeking life’s essentials now a deadly peril
Karam al-Ghussain, 9, and Lulu, 10, were fetching water from a nearby distribution station when an Israeli strike hit it, and them
www.theguardian.com
July 19, 2025 at 9:19 AM
“They have the most advanced technology and know exactly where the missile will fall and who the target is. How could this be a mistake? A ‘mistake’ that killed both of my children!” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
“If we are starting to talk about truth telling, here is the truth from where we stand: police racism was a factor in the death of Kumanjayi Walker – not just the racism of an individual officer but the structural racism of the force itself.“ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Here’s some Indigenous truth-telling: structural police racism had a hand in the death of Kumanjayi Walker | Lorena Allam
After the inquest into the Aboriginal teenager’s death, the coroner found constable Zachary Rolfe operated in a system that failed on a number of occasions to ‘rein him in’
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
“If we are starting to talk about truth telling, here is the truth from where we stand: police racism was a factor in the death of Kumanjayi Walker – not just the racism of an individual officer but the structural racism of the force itself.“ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Deborah Coles
Sean Brown, father of six and GAA official, was murdered in 1997.
MI5 and the MoD are still refusing to release the files. 28 years on - still no public inquiry.
The ad van has been circling key London sites all week. Day four of five - filmed today at Downing Street. @finucanecentre.bsky.social
MI5 and the MoD are still refusing to release the files. 28 years on - still no public inquiry.
The ad van has been circling key London sites all week. Day four of five - filmed today at Downing Street. @finucanecentre.bsky.social
July 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Sean Brown, father of six and GAA official, was murdered in 1997.
MI5 and the MoD are still refusing to release the files. 28 years on - still no public inquiry.
The ad van has been circling key London sites all week. Day four of five - filmed today at Downing Street. @finucanecentre.bsky.social
MI5 and the MoD are still refusing to release the files. 28 years on - still no public inquiry.
The ad van has been circling key London sites all week. Day four of five - filmed today at Downing Street. @finucanecentre.bsky.social
Reposted by Deborah Coles
Great meeting in Parliament today on the ongoing need for a National Oversight Mechanism.
We urgently need government to set up a new independent body to ensure real change following inquests and public inquiries.
#NoMoreDeaths
We urgently need government to set up a new independent body to ensure real change following inquests and public inquiries.
#NoMoreDeaths
July 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Great meeting in Parliament today on the ongoing need for a National Oversight Mechanism.
We urgently need government to set up a new independent body to ensure real change following inquests and public inquiries.
#NoMoreDeaths
We urgently need government to set up a new independent body to ensure real change following inquests and public inquiries.
#NoMoreDeaths
“The actions used by Palestine Action are not new. They follow a tradition of protest that has been instrumental to civil rights movements throughout history. Indeed, these actions have shaped modern Britain and enriched democratic participation globally”. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Palestine Action is part of Britain's proud history of protest. Proscribing it is an assault on democracy | Suresh Grover
Through decades of anti-racist campaigning, I have seen that peaceful, direct action can be the only way to get results, says campaigner Suresh Grover
www.theguardian.com
June 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“The actions used by Palestine Action are not new. They follow a tradition of protest that has been instrumental to civil rights movements throughout history. Indeed, these actions have shaped modern Britain and enriched democratic participation globally”. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Deborah Coles
I would like to thank the 166 fellow parliamentarians who have supported my letter today calling on the PM to deliver ‘The Hillsborough Law’ as he promised in the 2022 & 2024 Liverpool party conferences.
A watered-down replacement will not be accepted nor befitting to be called ‘Hillsborough Law'.
A watered-down replacement will not be accepted nor befitting to be called ‘Hillsborough Law'.
June 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I would like to thank the 166 fellow parliamentarians who have supported my letter today calling on the PM to deliver ‘The Hillsborough Law’ as he promised in the 2022 & 2024 Liverpool party conferences.
A watered-down replacement will not be accepted nor befitting to be called ‘Hillsborough Law'.
A watered-down replacement will not be accepted nor befitting to be called ‘Hillsborough Law'.
“The legislation is ready to go. It’s just a question of political will. If the Prime Minister doesn’t enact the Hillsborough Law in full, it will be seen as another betrayal of Hillsborough families, survivors and victims of other state cover-ups.” www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
PM told 'do not betray Hillsborough families' in powerful letter
Exclusive: A huge number of Parliamentarians from different party have banded together to tell the government not to replace promised Hillsborough Law with 'toothless' replacement
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
“The legislation is ready to go. It’s just a question of political will. If the Prime Minister doesn’t enact the Hillsborough Law in full, it will be seen as another betrayal of Hillsborough families, survivors and victims of other state cover-ups.” www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
“The evidence is clear: these cuts will deepen inequality and force people further into crisis. We urge the government to listen to those most affected and change course immediately.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Starmer’s PIP disability cuts could see claimants lose £10,000 a year, MPs warn
More than 100 Labour MPs could vote against Sir Keir Starmer’s welfare cuts
www.independent.co.uk
June 16, 2025 at 5:12 PM
“The evidence is clear: these cuts will deepen inequality and force people further into crisis. We urge the government to listen to those most affected and change course immediately.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...