David Sheppard
@oilsheppard.bsky.social
Financial Times Acting Whitehall Editor. Former FT Energy Editor, but still dabbles in what makes the world go round. Ex-Reuters.
Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting (and dark horse contender Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who's not in cabinet) have now all also Tweeted or voiced support for Starmer.
He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer:
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting (and dark horse contender Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who's not in cabinet) have now all also Tweeted or voiced support for Starmer.
He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer:
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
February 9, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer:
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
Wes Streeting
Shabana Mahmood
Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics)
This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
How Epstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian Osborne, a onetime PR man and adviser to David Cameron
Epstein guided him in setting up Hedosophia (now one of UK’s most important start-up backers)
and even appointed him to one of his own investment vehicles
www.ft.com/content/8b04...
Epstein guided him in setting up Hedosophia (now one of UK’s most important start-up backers)
and even appointed him to one of his own investment vehicles
www.ft.com/content/8b04...
Epstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian Osborne
Convicted sex offender helped establish tech fund Hedosophia after Osborne offered to help clean up Epstein’s image
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:08 PM
How Epstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian Osborne, a onetime PR man and adviser to David Cameron
Epstein guided him in setting up Hedosophia (now one of UK’s most important start-up backers)
and even appointed him to one of his own investment vehicles
www.ft.com/content/8b04...
Epstein guided him in setting up Hedosophia (now one of UK’s most important start-up backers)
and even appointed him to one of his own investment vehicles
www.ft.com/content/8b04...
Reposted by David Sheppard
EXC: US State dept is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in UK/ Europe to amplify Washington’s policy stances and challenge perceived threats to free speech
W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon
as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...
W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon
as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
[FREE TO READ] State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
as.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:43 AM
EXC: US State dept is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in UK/ Europe to amplify Washington’s policy stances and challenge perceived threats to free speech
W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon
as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...
W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon
as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...
If Trump has actually convinced India to stop buying Russian oil it’s potentially a very big deal.
India was buying ~40% of Russian export volumes, and now the only remaining buyer of any significance is China. And Beijing just got huge pricing power and leverage
www.ft.com/content/72f1...
India was buying ~40% of Russian export volumes, and now the only remaining buyer of any significance is China. And Beijing just got huge pricing power and leverage
www.ft.com/content/72f1...
Trump says US to cut India tariffs after Modi agrees halt to Russian oil imports
President claims New Delhi will buy more than $500bn of American goods
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
If Trump has actually convinced India to stop buying Russian oil it’s potentially a very big deal.
India was buying ~40% of Russian export volumes, and now the only remaining buyer of any significance is China. And Beijing just got huge pricing power and leverage
www.ft.com/content/72f1...
India was buying ~40% of Russian export volumes, and now the only remaining buyer of any significance is China. And Beijing just got huge pricing power and leverage
www.ft.com/content/72f1...
Reposted by David Sheppard
EXC: The multibillion-pound contract to build ‘Skynet 6’ next-gen military satellites is shaping up as key flashpoint in UK govt, as Trump’s threats to western allies are fuelling concern about London’s reliance on Washington for defence
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Trump threats fuel concern over UK reliance on US defence and military satellites
Contest between Airbus and Lockheed Martin to supply SkyNet 6 programme has become lightning rod for Whitehall debate
giftarticle.ft.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:08 AM
EXC: The multibillion-pound contract to build ‘Skynet 6’ next-gen military satellites is shaping up as key flashpoint in UK govt, as Trump’s threats to western allies are fuelling concern about London’s reliance on Washington for defence
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by David Sheppard
January 10, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by David Sheppard
Just a few more days left to apply for the Paul McLean graduate trainee programme at the FT. This is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring journalist job-boards.greenhouse.io/financialtim...
Paul McClean Graduate Trainee
London
job-boards.greenhouse.io
January 5, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Just a few more days left to apply for the Paul McLean graduate trainee programme at the FT. This is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring journalist job-boards.greenhouse.io/financialtim...
Reposted by David Sheppard
It is, for once, all about oil.
January 3, 2026 at 9:12 AM
It is, for once, all about oil.
Reposted by David Sheppard
This could be messy. The state owned UK Atomic Energy Authority is in a joint venture with the organisation merging with Trump Media & Technology Group
www.ft.com/content/1e05... @pickardje.bsky.social @oilsheppard.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/1e05... @pickardje.bsky.social @oilsheppard.bsky.social
Trump family deal with fusion energy firm adds to complicated UK-US ties
TAE Technologies has already agreed joint venture with UK government’s atomic laboratory
www.ft.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:58 AM
This could be messy. The state owned UK Atomic Energy Authority is in a joint venture with the organisation merging with Trump Media & Technology Group
www.ft.com/content/1e05... @pickardje.bsky.social @oilsheppard.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/1e05... @pickardje.bsky.social @oilsheppard.bsky.social
Reposted by David Sheppard
Shock.
While No.10 quibbles, the threat grows and our ability to combat it remains diminished.
But defence is apparently a 'top priority' for government....
While No.10 quibbles, the threat grows and our ability to combat it remains diminished.
But defence is apparently a 'top priority' for government....
Defence spending plan delayed over Starmer concerns
New national armaments director insists the paper is in its ‘final stages’
www.ft.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Shock.
While No.10 quibbles, the threat grows and our ability to combat it remains diminished.
But defence is apparently a 'top priority' for government....
While No.10 quibbles, the threat grows and our ability to combat it remains diminished.
But defence is apparently a 'top priority' for government....
UK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to Ukraine www.ft.com/content/7e90... via @ft
UK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to Ukraine
Lenders concerned they could be at significant risk of potential lawsuits from Moscow
www.ft.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
UK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to Ukraine www.ft.com/content/7e90... via @ft
Reposted by David Sheppard
Just in: A new US national security strategy is calling for 'cultivating resistance' in Europe, warning that the continent is subverting democracy, blocking peace in Ukraine and facing 'civilisational erasure' from high migration and falling birth rates. on.ft.com/3Y7XP0G
December 5, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Just in: A new US national security strategy is calling for 'cultivating resistance' in Europe, warning that the continent is subverting democracy, blocking peace in Ukraine and facing 'civilisational erasure' from high migration and falling birth rates. on.ft.com/3Y7XP0G
Reposted by David Sheppard
Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’ on.ft.com/44Sho0O
Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’
The UK shadow justice secretary on embracing populism, his political ambitions — and whether there will be an alliance with Reform
on.ft.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’ on.ft.com/44Sho0O
The Guardian hates the new JPMorgan tower in NYC and has a litany of whinges.
I think it looks great
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
I think it looks great
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
December 3, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The Guardian hates the new JPMorgan tower in NYC and has a litany of whinges.
I think it looks great
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
I think it looks great
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by David Sheppard
FT Exclusive: The Reform UK leader told donors he expects a deal or merger between his party and the Conservatives ahead of the next general election, suggesting he does not believe he can sweep to power alone. on.ft.com/44xlHi0
December 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
FT Exclusive: The Reform UK leader told donors he expects a deal or merger between his party and the Conservatives ahead of the next general election, suggesting he does not believe he can sweep to power alone. on.ft.com/44xlHi0
Reposted by David Sheppard
New: 'Shark's fin' chart reveals the uneven impact of 'fiscal drag', the stealth tax beloved of recent chancellors. Plus use our interactive calculator to see how fresh freezes announced by Rachel Reeves at todays Budget could affect you on.ft.com/3KqOYUL
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
New: 'Shark's fin' chart reveals the uneven impact of 'fiscal drag', the stealth tax beloved of recent chancellors. Plus use our interactive calculator to see how fresh freezes announced by Rachel Reeves at todays Budget could affect you on.ft.com/3KqOYUL
Should probably get round to saying I've joined the FT's crack UK politics team, covering for the ace
@LOS_Fisher
as Acting Whitehall Editor
I'll be covering defence, foreign policy and lots more besides - and still keeping half an eye on the worlds of investigations and energy
@LOS_Fisher
as Acting Whitehall Editor
I'll be covering defence, foreign policy and lots more besides - and still keeping half an eye on the worlds of investigations and energy
May 27, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Should probably get round to saying I've joined the FT's crack UK politics team, covering for the ace
@LOS_Fisher
as Acting Whitehall Editor
I'll be covering defence, foreign policy and lots more besides - and still keeping half an eye on the worlds of investigations and energy
@LOS_Fisher
as Acting Whitehall Editor
I'll be covering defence, foreign policy and lots more besides - and still keeping half an eye on the worlds of investigations and energy
The ‘bong’ when a TFL bus announces a diversion sounds like something you’d hear when your entire medieval family has just been sentenced to death.
So dramatic. You’re only sending us via Old Street, not convicting us of witchcraft.
So dramatic. You’re only sending us via Old Street, not convicting us of witchcraft.
April 1, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The ‘bong’ when a TFL bus announces a diversion sounds like something you’d hear when your entire medieval family has just been sentenced to death.
So dramatic. You’re only sending us via Old Street, not convicting us of witchcraft.
So dramatic. You’re only sending us via Old Street, not convicting us of witchcraft.
Reposted by David Sheppard
Who is Jan Marsalek, the absconded fraudster and Russian spymaster to 3 Bulgarians convicted in the UK today?
Well, let me tell you a story about a high school drop-out who masterminded a $30bn financial fraud in the heart of Europe while trying to build a North African militia as a side hustle.
Well, let me tell you a story about a high school drop-out who masterminded a $30bn financial fraud in the heart of Europe while trying to build a North African militia as a side hustle.
March 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Who is Jan Marsalek, the absconded fraudster and Russian spymaster to 3 Bulgarians convicted in the UK today?
Well, let me tell you a story about a high school drop-out who masterminded a $30bn financial fraud in the heart of Europe while trying to build a North African militia as a side hustle.
Well, let me tell you a story about a high school drop-out who masterminded a $30bn financial fraud in the heart of Europe while trying to build a North African militia as a side hustle.
The horrors emerging in Syria:
“In Tadamon, the children know the difference between a human jaw and a dog’s.
“So inured are they to decomposing remains… that the boys casually toss around skulls and fractured femurs.”
ft.com/content/da422e…
“In Tadamon, the children know the difference between a human jaw and a dog’s.
“So inured are they to decomposing remains… that the boys casually toss around skulls and fractured femurs.”
ft.com/content/da422e…
https://ft.com/content/da422e…
December 18, 2024 at 9:45 AM
The horrors emerging in Syria:
“In Tadamon, the children know the difference between a human jaw and a dog’s.
“So inured are they to decomposing remains… that the boys casually toss around skulls and fractured femurs.”
ft.com/content/da422e…
“In Tadamon, the children know the difference between a human jaw and a dog’s.
“So inured are they to decomposing remains… that the boys casually toss around skulls and fractured femurs.”
ft.com/content/da422e…
FT Investigation: A Scottish-Lebanese dynasty. A sheikh scorned. A German arms deal. A £50mn penthouse. The former King of Spain. One of London’s hottest tech investors.
Intrigued? Hope you enjoy
What led to the fall of the house of El Husseiny
on.ft.com/402y3wZ
Intrigued? Hope you enjoy
What led to the fall of the house of El Husseiny
on.ft.com/402y3wZ
What led to the fall of the house of El Husseiny
[FREE TO READ] A prominent family made a fortune working for autocrats. Who was really to blame when it fell apart?
on.ft.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:16 PM
FT Investigation: A Scottish-Lebanese dynasty. A sheikh scorned. A German arms deal. A £50mn penthouse. The former King of Spain. One of London’s hottest tech investors.
Intrigued? Hope you enjoy
What led to the fall of the house of El Husseiny
on.ft.com/402y3wZ
Intrigued? Hope you enjoy
What led to the fall of the house of El Husseiny
on.ft.com/402y3wZ