John Simpson
@johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social
BBC lifer since 1966, international affairs editor since 1982. Presenter of ‘Unspun World’ on BBC Two, BBC World & World Service. Two daughters, one son, six grandchildren, a loving wife, lots of books, and an Irish terrier. Defender of the Oxford comma.
Tim Davie was one of the best D-Gs the BBC has had, and Deborah Turness was a brilliant head of news. Only the BBC’s enemies could possibly be glad they’ve resigned. We’ve now got a real fight on our hands to defend public service broadcasting, because that’s under threat too.
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Tim Davie was one of the best D-Gs the BBC has had, and Deborah Turness was a brilliant head of news. Only the BBC’s enemies could possibly be glad they’ve resigned. We’ve now got a real fight on our hands to defend public service broadcasting, because that’s under threat too.
Exactly right. Mistakes must be corrected, but deliberate campaigns should be recognised for what they are.
BBC’s Nick Robinson on #Trump #BBC row: “As ever..it’s clear that there is genuine concern about editorial standards+mistakes. There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation that you are currently listening to. Both things are happening at the same time.”
Today - 08/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Exactly right. Mistakes must be corrected, but deliberate campaigns should be recognised for what they are.
Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war
November 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Inside Gaza, BBC sees total devastation after two years of war
‘Unspun World’ at 11.00 tonight on BBC Two, then iPlayer, News Channel & World Service: what do Russians feel about the Ukraine war? Why are Gulf states involved in the Sudan fighting? Who do Americans blame for the govt shutdown? And the climate change conference - any good?
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
‘Unspun World’ at 11.00 tonight on BBC Two, then iPlayer, News Channel & World Service: what do Russians feel about the Ukraine war? Why are Gulf states involved in the Sudan fighting? Who do Americans blame for the govt shutdown? And the climate change conference - any good?
The great S African lawyer Sir Sydney Kentridge is 103 today. In a Pretoria court in 1977 I watched in awe as he crucified the secret police who had murdered the Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko - arguably the start of apartheid’s downfall. A very happy birthday, dear Sydney!
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The great S African lawyer Sir Sydney Kentridge is 103 today. In a Pretoria court in 1977 I watched in awe as he crucified the secret police who had murdered the Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko - arguably the start of apartheid’s downfall. A very happy birthday, dear Sydney!
Escargots, anyone?
November 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Escargots, anyone?
Just heard the sad news that John Osman, the doyen of BBC foreign correspondents and an inspiration to people like me, has died. A life really well lived. Farewell dear friend.
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Just heard the sad news that John Osman, the doyen of BBC foreign correspondents and an inspiration to people like me, has died. A life really well lived. Farewell dear friend.
A Washington Post poll has found that 61% of US Jews believe Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, and 39% say it is committing genocide. Among the broader American public, 45% told the Brookings Institution they believe Israel is committing genocide.
October 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A Washington Post poll has found that 61% of US Jews believe Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, and 39% say it is committing genocide. Among the broader American public, 45% told the Brookings Institution they believe Israel is committing genocide.
Me at the Royal Geographical Society yesterday, sounding off at a matinée and an evening show about the nature of political leadership, the leaders I’ve met, and why many of them have gone off the rails. Knackering but great fun, with lovely receptive audiences both times.
October 19, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Me at the Royal Geographical Society yesterday, sounding off at a matinée and an evening show about the nature of political leadership, the leaders I’ve met, and why many of them have gone off the rails. Knackering but great fun, with lovely receptive audiences both times.
Donald Trump says crime in London is going through the roof. In reality the latest figures show that murders in London in the first nine months of 2025 were lower than in any year since monthly homicide records began in 2003, and 2025 saw a 7% drop in knife crime.
October 15, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Donald Trump says crime in London is going through the roof. In reality the latest figures show that murders in London in the first nine months of 2025 were lower than in any year since monthly homicide records began in 2003, and 2025 saw a 7% drop in knife crime.
On ‘Unspun World’ tonight on BBC Two, then iPlayer, News Channel & World Service: the BBC Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abu Alouf describes life in Gaza right now. Plus world economic crisis, cyber crime and Argentina’s problems. Worth a watch!
October 15, 2025 at 10:50 PM
On ‘Unspun World’ tonight on BBC Two, then iPlayer, News Channel & World Service: the BBC Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abu Alouf describes life in Gaza right now. Plus world economic crisis, cyber crime and Argentina’s problems. Worth a watch!
On tonight’s Unspun World on BBC Two I talk to the great Steve Rosenberg about what it’s really like to be the BBC Russia editor — how do ordinary Russians react to him? Is he in danger? What’s going to happen there? Unmissable!
October 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
On tonight’s Unspun World on BBC Two I talk to the great Steve Rosenberg about what it’s really like to be the BBC Russia editor — how do ordinary Russians react to him? Is he in danger? What’s going to happen there? Unmissable!
Very sad to hear of the death of the charming Sir John Gurdon, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, who in 2001 conferred an honorary fellowship on Nelson Mandela. At Eton, Gurdon was told he’d never make a scientist. He went on to win the Nobel Prize for physiology.
October 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Very sad to hear of the death of the charming Sir John Gurdon, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, who in 2001 conferred an honorary fellowship on Nelson Mandela. At Eton, Gurdon was told he’d never make a scientist. He went on to win the Nobel Prize for physiology.
Reposted by John Simpson
China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules
China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules
Exclusive: Chinese officials warned that targeting its security apparatus would have negative consequences for relations
China threatened to retaliate against the UK government if ministers targeted parts of its security apparatus under foreign influence rules, the Guardian can disclose.
Chinese officials warned the Foreign Office that the move would have negative consequences for relations soon after the Guardian reported it was under consideration, according to two government sources with knowledge of the discussions. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules
Mikhail Bulgakov’s wonderful, savage, laugh-out-loud funny ‘Heart of a Dog’ was written 100 years ago and seems as fresh as yesterday. It wasn’t published in his lifetime, of course, as with his other novels. But he was lucky that Stalin liked him and didn’t murder him…
October 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Mikhail Bulgakov’s wonderful, savage, laugh-out-loud funny ‘Heart of a Dog’ was written 100 years ago and seems as fresh as yesterday. It wasn’t published in his lifetime, of course, as with his other novels. But he was lucky that Stalin liked him and didn’t murder him…
I’m already missing dear Jane Goodall so much.
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October 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I’m already missing dear Jane Goodall so much.
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There I was, doing my live review of the week for @BBCNews, when Hamas’s acceptance of some of the Gaza peace plan broke. Those news gallery people have nerves of steel —presenter Lewis Vaughan-Jones too. They even let me pay my respects to Jane Goodall. Chapeau, News Channel!
October 3, 2025 at 9:48 PM
There I was, doing my live review of the week for @BBCNews, when Hamas’s acceptance of some of the Gaza peace plan broke. Those news gallery people have nerves of steel —presenter Lewis Vaughan-Jones too. They even let me pay my respects to Jane Goodall. Chapeau, News Channel!
It was a great privilege to know Jane Goodall and work with her. A major loss to us all.
October 2, 2025 at 2:43 AM
It was a great privilege to know Jane Goodall and work with her. A major loss to us all.
So very sorry to hear that the lovely Dame Jane Goodall has died. She was a charming, hugely intelligent person who achieved so much both in science and in teaching us to think about our world. A sad, sad loss.
October 2, 2025 at 2:39 AM
So very sorry to hear that the lovely Dame Jane Goodall has died. She was a charming, hugely intelligent person who achieved so much both in science and in teaching us to think about our world. A sad, sad loss.
Filming tonight’s Unspun World headlines for BBC Two, iPlayer etc with Ben Watt, Dave Murphy, Sharam Heidari & Kate Cornell: ‘eternal peace in the Middle East’ — really? Plus, are we already at war with Russia without realising? And Trump’s own war with his domestic enemies. Worth a watch!
October 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Filming tonight’s Unspun World headlines for BBC Two, iPlayer etc with Ben Watt, Dave Murphy, Sharam Heidari & Kate Cornell: ‘eternal peace in the Middle East’ — really? Plus, are we already at war with Russia without realising? And Trump’s own war with his domestic enemies. Worth a watch!
Reposted by John Simpson
Has anyone told Farage, Trump and Vance how safe London is?
Quite a low rate of mass shootings this year.....
Meanwhile, in America.....
Quite a low rate of mass shootings this year.....
Meanwhile, in America.....
September 30, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Has anyone told Farage, Trump and Vance how safe London is?
Quite a low rate of mass shootings this year.....
Meanwhile, in America.....
Quite a low rate of mass shootings this year.....
Meanwhile, in America.....
Reposted by John Simpson
Last week I spoke to @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social on BBC2's Unspun World about Ahmed al-Sharaa's appearance at the UN, #Syria's reintegration into the international and MENA regional community, and prospects for the future Syrian social contract
September 30, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Last week I spoke to @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social on BBC2's Unspun World about Ahmed al-Sharaa's appearance at the UN, #Syria's reintegration into the international and MENA regional community, and prospects for the future Syrian social contract
Data from the Office of National Statistics shows Londoners are less likely to be violent crime victims (26.4 offences per 1,000 pop) than the rest of England & Wales (31.9 offences). Violent crime has fallen in every London borough in the past year.
September 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Data from the Office of National Statistics shows Londoners are less likely to be violent crime victims (26.4 offences per 1,000 pop) than the rest of England & Wales (31.9 offences). Violent crime has fallen in every London borough in the past year.
Lyse Doucet interviewed by me about Gaza & Palestinian recognition for tonight’s ’Unspun World’ on BBC Two & iPlayer. Plus Syria’s new leader at the UN, the Taliban’s war on Afghan women, & the US-Venezuela dispute. If you’re interested in the world around us, this is for you.
September 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Lyse Doucet interviewed by me about Gaza & Palestinian recognition for tonight’s ’Unspun World’ on BBC Two & iPlayer. Plus Syria’s new leader at the UN, the Taliban’s war on Afghan women, & the US-Venezuela dispute. If you’re interested in the world around us, this is for you.
On the issue of Pres Trump allegation that paracetamol can cause autism, it’s worth noting that, as the Health Secretary Wes Streeting says, a major study carried out last year in Sweden, involving 2.4 million children, didn’t support this suggestion.
September 23, 2025 at 10:16 AM
On the issue of Pres Trump allegation that paracetamol can cause autism, it’s worth noting that, as the Health Secretary Wes Streeting says, a major study carried out last year in Sweden, involving 2.4 million children, didn’t support this suggestion.