Richard Garside
@richardjgarside.bsky.social
Director @crimeandjustice | Law and justice | Materialist not idealist | Facts not feelings | My views, not my employer’s
Pinned
Will only be on this platform intermittently for the foreseeable future and won’t be checking DMs
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Email me or find me on LinkedIn
Will only be on this platform intermittently for the foreseeable future and won’t be checking DMs
Email me or find me on LinkedIn
Email me or find me on LinkedIn
January 8, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Will only be on this platform intermittently for the foreseeable future and won’t be checking DMs
Email me or find me on LinkedIn
Email me or find me on LinkedIn
Genuine request:
Can anyone share links to credible articles that argue that Maduro *won* the 2024 presidential election?
Trying to get my head round the arguments. Plenty of articles stating he lost the 2024 election, but struggling to find reliable sources suggesting he won
Can anyone share links to credible articles that argue that Maduro *won* the 2024 presidential election?
Trying to get my head round the arguments. Plenty of articles stating he lost the 2024 election, but struggling to find reliable sources suggesting he won
January 3, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Genuine request:
Can anyone share links to credible articles that argue that Maduro *won* the 2024 presidential election?
Trying to get my head round the arguments. Plenty of articles stating he lost the 2024 election, but struggling to find reliable sources suggesting he won
Can anyone share links to credible articles that argue that Maduro *won* the 2024 presidential election?
Trying to get my head round the arguments. Plenty of articles stating he lost the 2024 election, but struggling to find reliable sources suggesting he won
They’re not though, are they
January 2, 2026 at 5:46 PM
They’re not though, are they
Useful analysis by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social on the history and legal issues around Shamima Begum’s latest attempt to challenge the removal of her British citizenship
open.substack.com/pub/rozenber...
open.substack.com/pub/rozenber...
Begum tries again
Former ISIS bride says she may have been victim of traffickers
open.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Useful analysis by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social on the history and legal issues around Shamima Begum’s latest attempt to challenge the removal of her British citizenship
open.substack.com/pub/rozenber...
open.substack.com/pub/rozenber...
As her lawyer, Gareth Pierce, points out:
“It is impossible to dispute that a 15-year-old British child was lured and deceived for the purposes of sexual exploitation... It is equally impossible not to acknowledge the catalogue of failures to protect a child known to be at risk”
“It is impossible to dispute that a 15-year-old British child was lured and deceived for the purposes of sexual exploitation... It is equally impossible not to acknowledge the catalogue of failures to protect a child known to be at risk”
December 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
As her lawyer, Gareth Pierce, points out:
“It is impossible to dispute that a 15-year-old British child was lured and deceived for the purposes of sexual exploitation... It is equally impossible not to acknowledge the catalogue of failures to protect a child known to be at risk”
“It is impossible to dispute that a 15-year-old British child was lured and deceived for the purposes of sexual exploitation... It is equally impossible not to acknowledge the catalogue of failures to protect a child known to be at risk”
Good to see reports that the European Court of Human Rights is pressing the UK government to justify whether it acted lawfully in stripping Shamima Begum of her British citizenship
December 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Good to see reports that the European Court of Human Rights is pressing the UK government to justify whether it acted lawfully in stripping Shamima Begum of her British citizenship
That we seem to be collectively losing our minds over the granting of citizenship, several years ago, to someone who expressed some awful views on social media more than a decade ago, says something about the state we are in, I think
December 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
That we seem to be collectively losing our minds over the granting of citizenship, several years ago, to someone who expressed some awful views on social media more than a decade ago, says something about the state we are in, I think
If you can’t string together a coherent argument without degenerating into childish insults and name-calling, your argument isn’t up to much
December 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
If you can’t string together a coherent argument without degenerating into childish insults and name-calling, your argument isn’t up to much
The shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, describing a British citizen as a “despicable scumbag” is something of a new low for British politics
December 29, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, describing a British citizen as a “despicable scumbag” is something of a new low for British politics
“These reports raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, including obligations to protect life and prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment... Preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UN experts raise ‘grave concern’ over treatment of Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers
Special rapporteurs say handling of prisoners raises questions over UK’s obligations under human rights laws
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
“These reports raise serious questions about compliance with international human rights law and standards, including obligations to protect life and prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment... Preventable deaths in custody are never acceptable”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
“The moral burden on healthcare staff should not be underestimated. Following the death of the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in 1981, his doctor later took his own life”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
A heavy moral burden as Palestine Action hunger strikers risk death | Letters
Letters: Dr David Nicholl and Dr John Kalk discuss medical ethics in relation to the care of prisoners on hunger strike, and Dr Jonathan Fluxman calls on Labour to act now before the worst happens
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“The moral burden on healthcare staff should not be underestimated. Following the death of the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in 1981, his doctor later took his own life”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
What does this kind of stunt achieve, apart from adding to the already long list of pointless arrests, prosecutions and potential imprisonment?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Greta Thunberg arrested in London over ‘Palestine Action prisoners’ placard
Two other people held on suspicion of criminal damage after protest at insurance company’s offices
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
What does this kind of stunt achieve, apart from adding to the already long list of pointless arrests, prosecutions and potential imprisonment?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Good news, if confirmed, that one of the six hunger strikers has ended her strike
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Third Palestine Action hunger striker on remand ends protest
A third individual on remand for alleged offences relating to the Palestine Action group has ended a hunger strike after 49 days.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Good news, if confirmed, that one of the six hunger strikers has ended her strike
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Statement from the PCS Union on the hunger strikers, urging the Justice Secretary, David Lammy, “to meet with their legal representatives at the earliest opportunity to discuss matters”
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
PCS statement on treatment of hunger strikers on remand
PCS is deeply concerned about the developing situation facing eight pro-Palestinian prisoners on remand who are currently on hunger strike.
www.pcs.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Statement from the PCS Union on the hunger strikers, urging the Justice Secretary, David Lammy, “to meet with their legal representatives at the earliest opportunity to discuss matters”
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
“She says she dealt with serious criminals including drug dealers and terrorists in her day-to-day duties... She says the job ruined her life as she was traumatised by it, ‘not so much from the prisoners but from the other staff, who were vile’.”
insidetime.org/newsround/pr...
insidetime.org/newsround/pr...
Prison appoints underage girl to officer post
A 17-year-old girl was hired by the Ministry of Justice to work as a prison officer at HMP Erlestoke – despite a rule saying that no-one under 18 can do the job. The recruitment of officers is hand…
insidetime.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“She says she dealt with serious criminals including drug dealers and terrorists in her day-to-day duties... She says the job ruined her life as she was traumatised by it, ‘not so much from the prisoners but from the other staff, who were vile’.”
insidetime.org/newsround/pr...
insidetime.org/newsround/pr...
“Nobody wins in this. Individuals cannot use blackmail to compel democratically elected government …[but] in this case humanitarian grounds trump a kind of bloody-minded decision to keep these people remanded in custody”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘It feels like being suffocated’: Palestine Action activist in HMP Peterborough vows to continue hunger strike
Teuta Hoxha says she remains determined despite growing fears for her health and five other prisoners staging protest
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
“Nobody wins in this. Individuals cannot use blackmail to compel democratically elected government …[but] in this case humanitarian grounds trump a kind of bloody-minded decision to keep these people remanded in custody”
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
What happens to the body when a prisoner is on hunger strike, and needs to be done to prevent an avoidable tragedy?
Here's Dr James Smith, an accident and emergency physician, speaking at the press conference earlier this week
www.youtube.com/live/czGxW-r...
Here's Dr James Smith, an accident and emergency physician, speaking at the press conference earlier this week
www.youtube.com/live/czGxW-r...
Live: Palestine Action hunger strikers - family members of prisoners hold press conference
YouTube video by The Independent
www.youtube.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
What happens to the body when a prisoner is on hunger strike, and needs to be done to prevent an avoidable tragedy?
Here's Dr James Smith, an accident and emergency physician, speaking at the press conference earlier this week
www.youtube.com/live/czGxW-r...
Here's Dr James Smith, an accident and emergency physician, speaking at the press conference earlier this week
www.youtube.com/live/czGxW-r...
“The government must... examine the arguments for bail and the questions around prison communication. At present it looks dangerously complacent, given the prisoners’ rapidly deteriorating health”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the Palestine Action hunger strikers: the government is trying to ignore this protest | Editorial
Editorial: Doctors have warned that the lives of these prisoners are now in danger. Pretending this is not happening is not good enough
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“The government must... examine the arguments for bail and the questions around prison communication. At present it looks dangerously complacent, given the prisoners’ rapidly deteriorating health”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This feels like one of those moments where we risk passing the point of no return, not only for the six prisoners, but for what it says about how the state exercises its power when life is at risk
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This feels like one of those moments where we risk passing the point of no return, not only for the six prisoners, but for what it says about how the state exercises its power when life is at risk
If ministers do not act, it will be difficult to avoid the conclusion that they just do not care, or that they care more about gaining clout points for appearing tough, than about demonstrating what a compassionate and empathetic politics looks like
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
If ministers do not act, it will be difficult to avoid the conclusion that they just do not care, or that they care more about gaining clout points for appearing tough, than about demonstrating what a compassionate and empathetic politics looks like
At such times, there is a vital, and honourable, role for the state to intervene
This is particularly the case when an individual is detained and has little or no say over what happens to them
This is particularly the case when an individual is detained and has little or no say over what happens to them
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
At such times, there is a vital, and honourable, role for the state to intervene
This is particularly the case when an individual is detained and has little or no say over what happens to them
This is particularly the case when an individual is detained and has little or no say over what happens to them
There will be those who argue that the solution is easy: the hunger strikers can start eating again
And while there is reason in this view, there are many situations where the weight of circumstances can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and in despair
And while there is reason in this view, there are many situations where the weight of circumstances can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and in despair
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
There will be those who argue that the solution is easy: the hunger strikers can start eating again
And while there is reason in this view, there are many situations where the weight of circumstances can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and in despair
And while there is reason in this view, there are many situations where the weight of circumstances can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and in despair
The rights or wrongs of the alleged offences, are not the issue here
The question is: are MPs and the public prepared to allows ministers to continue to avoid taking even the most minimal steps to establish what options there may be to resolve the situation before someone dies
The question is: are MPs and the public prepared to allows ministers to continue to avoid taking even the most minimal steps to establish what options there may be to resolve the situation before someone dies
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The rights or wrongs of the alleged offences, are not the issue here
The question is: are MPs and the public prepared to allows ministers to continue to avoid taking even the most minimal steps to establish what options there may be to resolve the situation before someone dies
The question is: are MPs and the public prepared to allows ministers to continue to avoid taking even the most minimal steps to establish what options there may be to resolve the situation before someone dies
Ministers have repeatedly refused to meet with MPs, lawyers of family members to discuss the situation
Indeed earlier this month David Lammy gave the impression that he was unaware that the hunger strike was taking place
Indeed earlier this month David Lammy gave the impression that he was unaware that the hunger strike was taking place
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Ministers have repeatedly refused to meet with MPs, lawyers of family members to discuss the situation
Indeed earlier this month David Lammy gave the impression that he was unaware that the hunger strike was taking place
Indeed earlier this month David Lammy gave the impression that he was unaware that the hunger strike was taking place