Jim Pickard
@pickardje.bsky.social
Deputy political editor, Financial Times. Also amateur iphone photographer and some-time musician.
Pinned
icymi here’s the story from last Sunday of how FT revealed the money trail from Epstein to Mandelson’s husband and then to the former ambassador himself
Gordon Brown voice: “The Arctic Monkeys would certainly wake you up in the morning.”
February 13, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Gordon Brown voice: “The Arctic Monkeys would certainly wake you up in the morning.”
Reposted by Jim Pickard
I want to see an interview with the tired fella now
February 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
I want to see an interview with the tired fella now
this feels like a spoof from The Day Today
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
February 13, 2026 at 3:24 PM
this feels like a spoof from The Day Today
Reposted by Jim Pickard
Met more than one young artist visiting London recently who'd been really anxious beforehand, as they'd seen so much on social media about it being a crime-ridden hellhole. They then proceeded to have an unexpectedly lovely time in one of the world's great cities, but it is actually just really sad.
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Met more than one young artist visiting London recently who'd been really anxious beforehand, as they'd seen so much on social media about it being a crime-ridden hellhole. They then proceeded to have an unexpectedly lovely time in one of the world's great cities, but it is actually just really sad.
The head of Dubai-based logistics group DP World has left his post after revelations over his ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein piled pressure on the state-backed company to take action
www.ft.com/content/548f...
www.ft.com/content/548f...
DP World boss leaves company after Epstein emails
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem transformed Dubai-based group into one of the world’s largest logistics operators
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
The head of Dubai-based logistics group DP World has left his post after revelations over his ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein piled pressure on the state-backed company to take action
www.ft.com/content/548f...
www.ft.com/content/548f...
64% of the UK public view the Reform UK leader unfavourably, up from 59% in June 2025, according to new favourability ratings published by polling company YouGov
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Nigel Farage’s popularity dips as Reform UK surges in polls
YouGov figures point to challenges ahead for populist party’s leader as he seeks to win backing from more voters
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:50 AM
64% of the UK public view the Reform UK leader unfavourably, up from 59% in June 2025, according to new favourability ratings published by polling company YouGov
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Some 27% approve of Farage, down from a peak of 32% in May and August last year
www.ft.com/content/2bcb...
Reposted by Jim Pickard
Fascinating- under current rules, all ministers' meetings should be registered. And all consultant lobbyists, like Global Counsel, have to register with the official Registrar and declare all instances of lobbying ministers and perm secs.
So is this acceptance that the current schemes don't work?
So is this acceptance that the current schemes don't work?
Exclusive:
Ministers and civil servants have been told to report any future conversations with Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, in the latest fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com/content/124e...
Ministers and civil servants have been told to report any future conversations with Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, in the latest fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com/content/124e...
Whitehall told to report conversations with Mandelson lobbying firm
Guidance on Global Counsel is latest fallout from ties between former minister and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Fascinating- under current rules, all ministers' meetings should be registered. And all consultant lobbyists, like Global Counsel, have to register with the official Registrar and declare all instances of lobbying ministers and perm secs.
So is this acceptance that the current schemes don't work?
So is this acceptance that the current schemes don't work?
Reposted by Jim Pickard
Tbh I also like the freedom of not lugging loads of kit around…but I do want to buy better kit in a few years
February 12, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Tbh I also like the freedom of not lugging loads of kit around…but I do want to buy better kit in a few years
this is the plan for the next stage of my life…
February 12, 2026 at 8:11 PM
this is the plan for the next stage of my life…
Reposted by Jim Pickard
Why are members of the House of Lords allowed to own lobbying firms in the first place ?!! This is completely absurd.
In France, that would be illegal.
In France, that would be illegal.
February 12, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Why are members of the House of Lords allowed to own lobbying firms in the first place ?!! This is completely absurd.
In France, that would be illegal.
In France, that would be illegal.
Exclusive:
Ministers and civil servants have been told to report any future conversations with Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, in the latest fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com/content/124e...
Ministers and civil servants have been told to report any future conversations with Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, in the latest fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com/content/124e...
Whitehall told to report conversations with Mandelson lobbying firm
Guidance on Global Counsel is latest fallout from ties between former minister and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Exclusive:
Ministers and civil servants have been told to report any future conversations with Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, in the latest fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com/content/124e...
Ministers and civil servants have been told to report any future conversations with Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Peter Mandelson, in the latest fallout from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein
www.ft.com/content/124e...
thank you very much, really appreciate it 🙏
February 12, 2026 at 4:50 PM
thank you very much, really appreciate it 🙏
Reposted by Jim Pickard
Reposted by Jim Pickard
Don't lie on your CV, folks...
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Don't lie on your CV, folks...
this is fascinating on how Jeffrey Epstein is thought to have made his fortune:
Victoria’s Secret boss Les Wexner claimed Epstein stole hundreds of millions of dollars from him
www.ft.com/content/72c0...
Victoria’s Secret boss Les Wexner claimed Epstein stole hundreds of millions of dollars from him
www.ft.com/content/72c0...
Jeffrey Epstein paid Les Wexner $100mn after retail billionaire accused him of theft
Private settlement sought to avoid ‘unnecessary public attention’, prosecutors’ report said
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:31 AM
this is fascinating on how Jeffrey Epstein is thought to have made his fortune:
Victoria’s Secret boss Les Wexner claimed Epstein stole hundreds of millions of dollars from him
www.ft.com/content/72c0...
Victoria’s Secret boss Les Wexner claimed Epstein stole hundreds of millions of dollars from him
www.ft.com/content/72c0...
he wouldn't be able to do it directly as he's not a UK citizen, the existing loophole is that non-UK citizens can donate via UK subsidiaries of their businesses etc
February 12, 2026 at 10:43 AM
he wouldn't be able to do it directly as he's not a UK citizen, the existing loophole is that non-UK citizens can donate via UK subsidiaries of their businesses etc
great post by @danneidle.bsky.social on the chances of a successful criminal prosecution of Mandelson
Dan reckons "fraud by false representation" (lying about the Epstein relationship when interviewed for the ambassador job) could be the easiest route for police
taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/02/11/m...
Dan reckons "fraud by false representation" (lying about the Epstein relationship when interviewed for the ambassador job) could be the easiest route for police
taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/02/11/m...
Mandelson and the Epstein emails: could he be prosecuted?
A detailed legal analysis of whether Peter Mandelson’s Epstein emails could lead to prosecution, including misconduct in public office and other offences.
taxpolicy.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 8:50 AM
great post by @danneidle.bsky.social on the chances of a successful criminal prosecution of Mandelson
Dan reckons "fraud by false representation" (lying about the Epstein relationship when interviewed for the ambassador job) could be the easiest route for police
taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/02/11/m...
Dan reckons "fraud by false representation" (lying about the Epstein relationship when interviewed for the ambassador job) could be the easiest route for police
taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/02/11/m...
Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Ratcliffe’s comments “offensive and wrong”, and called on him to apologise
www.ft.com/content/8e28...
www.ft.com/content/8e28...
Starmer calls on Ratcliffe to apologise after claiming UK ‘colonised by immigrants’
Ineos founder also says prime minister needs to get the country ‘back on track’
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Ratcliffe’s comments “offensive and wrong”, and called on him to apologise
www.ft.com/content/8e28...
www.ft.com/content/8e28...
FT exclusive:
Jes Staley was named as a trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate up until at least 2015, newly released documents show, which appear to undermine court testimony from the former Barclays boss that he turned down the role.
www.ft.com/content/f459...
Jes Staley was named as a trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate up until at least 2015, newly released documents show, which appear to undermine court testimony from the former Barclays boss that he turned down the role.
www.ft.com/content/f459...
Epstein trustee document contradicts Jes Staley testimony
Signed 2014 contract shows former Barclays boss would be paid $250,000 a year for role
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:47 AM
FT exclusive:
Jes Staley was named as a trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate up until at least 2015, newly released documents show, which appear to undermine court testimony from the former Barclays boss that he turned down the role.
www.ft.com/content/f459...
Jes Staley was named as a trustee of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate up until at least 2015, newly released documents show, which appear to undermine court testimony from the former Barclays boss that he turned down the role.
www.ft.com/content/f459...
