James Middleton
@jaimiddleton.bsky.social
Freelance copy editor and proofreader working with authors, publishers and researchers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimiddleton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimiddleton
Reposted by James Middleton
I like the government pivot to reminding voters that Farage is an avowed enemy of NATO & Europe & an ardent admirer of Vladimir Putin, who routinely orders the murders of critics & opponents. It is politically effective & morally essential.
February 15, 2026 at 12:47 PM
I like the government pivot to reminding voters that Farage is an avowed enemy of NATO & Europe & an ardent admirer of Vladimir Putin, who routinely orders the murders of critics & opponents. It is politically effective & morally essential.
Reposted by James Middleton
Listen to Paul Bierman, an expert on Greenland’s ice, talk to The Conversation Weekly podcast about the history of the island’s ice sheet.
What a US military base lost under Greenland’s ice sheet reveals about the island’s real strategic importance
Listen to Paul Bierman, an expert on Greenland’s ice, talk to The Conversation Weekly podcast about the history of the island’s ice sheet.
tcnv.link
January 22, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Listen to Paul Bierman, an expert on Greenland’s ice, talk to The Conversation Weekly podcast about the history of the island’s ice sheet.
Reposted by James Middleton
🔥NEW EPISODE🔥
So far in 2026, self-described peacemaker Trump has captured Maduro in Venezuela and now has his eyes on Greenland.
To discuss the realities of the Trump administration’s foreign policy @gavinesler.bsky.social is joined by @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social ➡️ linktr.ee/drillpod
So far in 2026, self-described peacemaker Trump has captured Maduro in Venezuela and now has his eyes on Greenland.
To discuss the realities of the Trump administration’s foreign policy @gavinesler.bsky.social is joined by @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social ➡️ linktr.ee/drillpod
January 16, 2026 at 10:43 AM
🔥NEW EPISODE🔥
So far in 2026, self-described peacemaker Trump has captured Maduro in Venezuela and now has his eyes on Greenland.
To discuss the realities of the Trump administration’s foreign policy @gavinesler.bsky.social is joined by @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social ➡️ linktr.ee/drillpod
So far in 2026, self-described peacemaker Trump has captured Maduro in Venezuela and now has his eyes on Greenland.
To discuss the realities of the Trump administration’s foreign policy @gavinesler.bsky.social is joined by @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social ➡️ linktr.ee/drillpod
What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou
What the Assads did next - podcast
What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:10 PM
What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou
Reposted by James Middleton
Looks like it's over for the Punks...
BrewDog owners call time on craft beer pioneer
The producer of Punk IPA and Elvis Juice has called in AlixPartners to run a sale process which could prompt the break-up of one of Scotland's best-known consumer businesses, Sky News learns.
news.sky.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Looks like it's over for the Punks...
Reposted by James Middleton
This is the kind of essay you read and remember forever. Please make time for it.
Elizabeth Bruenig is so talented:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Elizabeth Bruenig is so talented:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
This is the kind of essay you read and remember forever. Please make time for it.
Elizabeth Bruenig is so talented:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Elizabeth Bruenig is so talented:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by James Middleton
I guested on the Rest is Money podcast to talk about our Epstein investigation, and give a preview of what’s coming next: the lawyers and other professionals who enabled Epstein.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The man who rumbled Mandelson: Dan Neidle's Epstein files investigation
Podcast Episode · The Rest Is Money · 12/02/2026 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
I guested on the Rest is Money podcast to talk about our Epstein investigation, and give a preview of what’s coming next: the lawyers and other professionals who enabled Epstein.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by James Middleton
We’re super excited to announce a new Editorial Board for @newhumanist.bsky.social, bringing together some of the UK’s most prominent thinkers in science, politics, the arts, and philosophy. A bright future for humanist publishing 🧵
humanists.uk/2026/02/11/l...
humanists.uk/2026/02/11/l...
Leading voices in journalism, science, and culture join New Humanist Editorial Board
Humanists UK has announced a new Editorial Board for New Humanist magazine, bringing together some of the UK’s most prominent thinkers in science, politics, the arts, and philosophy.
humanists.uk
February 11, 2026 at 2:35 PM
We’re super excited to announce a new Editorial Board for @newhumanist.bsky.social, bringing together some of the UK’s most prominent thinkers in science, politics, the arts, and philosophy. A bright future for humanist publishing 🧵
humanists.uk/2026/02/11/l...
humanists.uk/2026/02/11/l...
Reposted by James Middleton
I'd missed that the government last week ordered the deletion of the site Courtsdesk. It's hard to describe how impossible it is for journalists to find court listings in UK. There's countless hearings I'd send a reporter to... if I knew they were happening. www.legalcheek.com/2026/02/mini...
Ministry of Justice orders deletion of the UK’s largest court reporting database - Legal Cheek
Blow for open justice
www.legalcheek.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:39 AM
I'd missed that the government last week ordered the deletion of the site Courtsdesk. It's hard to describe how impossible it is for journalists to find court listings in UK. There's countless hearings I'd send a reporter to... if I knew they were happening. www.legalcheek.com/2026/02/mini...
Reposted by James Middleton
Significant that the High Court ruling is still, in places, quite damning of Palestine Action. It emphatically rejects that the group is engaged in "civil disobediance", for example.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Significant that the High Court ruling is still, in places, quite damning of Palestine Action. It emphatically rejects that the group is engaged in "civil disobediance", for example.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
Reposted by James Middleton
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by James Middleton
Fact-checking Nigel Farage's claim that one million in UK 'don't speak any English’ - BBC Verify
TL;DR it’s wrong, folks
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
TL;DR it’s wrong, folks
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
BBC Verify fact-check: Is Reform's Nigel Farage right to claim one million in UK 'don't speak any English’?
Latest updates from the BBC's specialists in fact-checking, verifying video and tackling disinformation.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Fact-checking Nigel Farage's claim that one million in UK 'don't speak any English’ - BBC Verify
TL;DR it’s wrong, folks
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
TL;DR it’s wrong, folks
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
Reposted by James Middleton
We Didn’t Ask for This Internet.
February 8, 2026 at 1:28 PM
We Didn’t Ask for This Internet.
Reposted by James Middleton
Mandelson has long cultivated a reputation as a master PR spinner. In reality, he’s mostly succeeded in repeatedly turning himself into a symbol of corrupt politics.
➡️ Watch the full episode of Page 94, the Private Eye podcast, on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCe...
➡️ Watch the full episode of Page 94, the Private Eye podcast, on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCe...
February 11, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Mandelson has long cultivated a reputation as a master PR spinner. In reality, he’s mostly succeeded in repeatedly turning himself into a symbol of corrupt politics.
➡️ Watch the full episode of Page 94, the Private Eye podcast, on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCe...
➡️ Watch the full episode of Page 94, the Private Eye podcast, on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCe...
Reposted by James Middleton
Day after Alex Pretti killing I complained to BBC about presentation of White House statements and evidence as equivalent. Duty of balance doesn’t extend to complicity with clear lies, I said. BBC could and should report WH making false statements as a *fact of the story*. Today I got response …
February 12, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Day after Alex Pretti killing I complained to BBC about presentation of White House statements and evidence as equivalent. Duty of balance doesn’t extend to complicity with clear lies, I said. BBC could and should report WH making false statements as a *fact of the story*. Today I got response …
Reposted by James Middleton
On the podcast: @piercepenniless.bsky.social, @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @ethanshone.bsky.social discuss Mandelson’s influence and explore how the lobbying and advisory industries are undermining democratic legitimacy. Listen wherever you get podcasts.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
On Politics: Mandelson and the Private Life of Power
Podcast Episode · The LRB Podcast · 11/02/2026 · 1h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM
On the podcast: @piercepenniless.bsky.social, @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @ethanshone.bsky.social discuss Mandelson’s influence and explore how the lobbying and advisory industries are undermining democratic legitimacy. Listen wherever you get podcasts.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by James Middleton
What 1.4m emails reveal about Jeffrey Epstein's network.
@economist.com data-team (et Jmail) effort on America's most notorious sex offender
www.economist.com/interactive/...
@economist.com data-team (et Jmail) effort on America's most notorious sex offender
www.economist.com/interactive/...
February 12, 2026 at 1:48 PM
What 1.4m emails reveal about Jeffrey Epstein's network.
@economist.com data-team (et Jmail) effort on America's most notorious sex offender
www.economist.com/interactive/...
@economist.com data-team (et Jmail) effort on America's most notorious sex offender
www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by James Middleton
💰💰💰NEW EPISODE💰💰💰
How has money laundering become such a major business and why do we struggle to stop it? @oliverbullough.bsky.social joins @seththevoz.bsky.social to discuss ➡️ linktr.ee/bunker_pod
How has money laundering become such a major business and why do we struggle to stop it? @oliverbullough.bsky.social joins @seththevoz.bsky.social to discuss ➡️ linktr.ee/bunker_pod
February 4, 2026 at 9:55 AM
💰💰💰NEW EPISODE💰💰💰
How has money laundering become such a major business and why do we struggle to stop it? @oliverbullough.bsky.social joins @seththevoz.bsky.social to discuss ➡️ linktr.ee/bunker_pod
How has money laundering become such a major business and why do we struggle to stop it? @oliverbullough.bsky.social joins @seththevoz.bsky.social to discuss ➡️ linktr.ee/bunker_pod
Reposted by James Middleton
Farage's stinking personal ratings are massively overlooked
Latest party leader net favourability ratings, February 2026
Kemi Badenoch: -23
Nigel Farage: -37
Keir Starmer: -47
Zack Polanski: -8 (48% DK)
Ed Davey: -10 (36% DK)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Kemi Badenoch: -23
Nigel Farage: -37
Keir Starmer: -47
Zack Polanski: -8 (48% DK)
Ed Davey: -10 (36% DK)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
February 12, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Farage's stinking personal ratings are massively overlooked
Reposted by James Middleton
I've seen enough No 10 "resets" over the years to be sceptical about how much they actually achieve, but it is interesting that the post-McSweeney/Allan operation have been quite rapid and punchy in responding to Jim Ratcliffe.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Minister and Burnham escalate row with ‘hypocritical’ Ratcliffe over claim UK colonised by immigrants – politics live
Labour mayor of Greater Manchester joins those criticising Ratcliffe over his comments
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:49 AM
I've seen enough No 10 "resets" over the years to be sceptical about how much they actually achieve, but it is interesting that the post-McSweeney/Allan operation have been quite rapid and punchy in responding to Jim Ratcliffe.
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Doctors' union may yet save NHS from Palantir - There is an alternative: OpenSAFELY, arguably the most successful patient record research tool ever conceived, built atop a special server that sends queries to each NHS trust, without directly accessing patient data pluralistic.net/2026/02/12/p...
February 12, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Doctors' union may yet save NHS from Palantir - There is an alternative: OpenSAFELY, arguably the most successful patient record research tool ever conceived, built atop a special server that sends queries to each NHS trust, without directly accessing patient data pluralistic.net/2026/02/12/p...
Reposted by James Middleton
Proper citation of research by journalists is necessary for more trustworthy news
A piece I wrote for @lseimpactblog.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
A piece I wrote for @lseimpactblog.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
Proper citation of research by journalists is necessary for more trustworthy news - LSE Impact
Andy Tattersall shows how research is poorly presented in the media & argues better community standards for linking to research could improve trust in media.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 26, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Proper citation of research by journalists is necessary for more trustworthy news
A piece I wrote for @lseimpactblog.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
A piece I wrote for @lseimpactblog.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
Reposted by James Middleton
Can Mandelson be prosecuted?
We’ve discussed the law and the evidence with leading lawyers. The bottom line: "misconduct in public office" is the only viable route.
The law is messy and proving intent is hard - but we believe there is a realistic prospect of conviction.
🧵:
We’ve discussed the law and the evidence with leading lawyers. The bottom line: "misconduct in public office" is the only viable route.
The law is messy and proving intent is hard - but we believe there is a realistic prospect of conviction.
🧵:
February 11, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Can Mandelson be prosecuted?
We’ve discussed the law and the evidence with leading lawyers. The bottom line: "misconduct in public office" is the only viable route.
The law is messy and proving intent is hard - but we believe there is a realistic prospect of conviction.
🧵:
We’ve discussed the law and the evidence with leading lawyers. The bottom line: "misconduct in public office" is the only viable route.
The law is messy and proving intent is hard - but we believe there is a realistic prospect of conviction.
🧵:
Reposted by James Middleton
“I urge the government to back the World Service, to act decisively and confidently about what we can achieve in this space, and to act soon”
- Tim Davie, BBC Director-General.
A dire warning about the World Service running out of money in just 7 weeks time.
- Tim Davie, BBC Director-General.
A dire warning about the World Service running out of money in just 7 weeks time.
BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:32 PM
“I urge the government to back the World Service, to act decisively and confidently about what we can achieve in this space, and to act soon”
- Tim Davie, BBC Director-General.
A dire warning about the World Service running out of money in just 7 weeks time.
- Tim Davie, BBC Director-General.
A dire warning about the World Service running out of money in just 7 weeks time.
Reposted by James Middleton
As his regime crumbled, Bashar al-Assad was obsessed with sex and video games, and he refused every lifeline he was offered. Palace insiders told Robert F. Worth that Assad could have saved his regime if he hadn’t been so stubborn and vain.
The Fall of the House of Assad
A detached ruler, obsessed with sex and video games, refused every lifeline he was offered.
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 1:15 PM
As his regime crumbled, Bashar al-Assad was obsessed with sex and video games, and he refused every lifeline he was offered. Palace insiders told Robert F. Worth that Assad could have saved his regime if he hadn’t been so stubborn and vain.