Spotlight on Corruption
@spotlightcorruption.org
Shining a light on the UK's role in corruption at home and abroad
https://linktr.ee/endcorruptionuk
https://linktr.ee/endcorruptionuk
Pinned
🔥 As Starter Packs are doing the rounds again, here is a hastily updated #anticorruption pack with (mostly) a UK focus. 🙏 As always, any additions, deletions or edits much appreciated.
✍️ We're happy to be signatories on this important letter calling for transparency over a potential conflicts of interest in UK government tech procurement.
NEW: We alongside 20+ civil society organisations are calling on Keir Starmer to publish documents relating to major UK-US technology and trade agreements negotiated while Lord Mandelson served as UK Ambassador to US.
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/public-...
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/public-...
Public interest groups call for disclosure of Mandelson-era big tech deals - Global Justice Now
Politico first reported on this story (13th Feb) Groups seek documents to establish whether Mandelson’s involvement in US tech negotiations served the national interest Organisations and experts – inc...
www.globaljustice.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 3:40 PM
✍️ We're happy to be signatories on this important letter calling for transparency over a potential conflicts of interest in UK government tech procurement.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
NEW: We alongside 20+ civil society organisations are calling on Keir Starmer to publish documents relating to major UK-US technology and trade agreements negotiated while Lord Mandelson served as UK Ambassador to US.
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/public-...
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/public-...
Public interest groups call for disclosure of Mandelson-era big tech deals - Global Justice Now
Politico first reported on this story (13th Feb) Groups seek documents to establish whether Mandelson’s involvement in US tech negotiations served the national interest Organisations and experts – inc...
www.globaljustice.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 9:55 AM
NEW: We alongside 20+ civil society organisations are calling on Keir Starmer to publish documents relating to major UK-US technology and trade agreements negotiated while Lord Mandelson served as UK Ambassador to US.
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/public-...
www.globaljustice.org.uk/news/public-...
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
🎦 MONEY TALKS 🎦
Yesterday, the Government introduced a bill aiming to stop foreign money influencing British elections.
The problem, though, isn't where the super-rich are from, but that money - from here and abroad - can buy access to power and influence.
More from @duncanhames.bsky.social ⤵️
Yesterday, the Government introduced a bill aiming to stop foreign money influencing British elections.
The problem, though, isn't where the super-rich are from, but that money - from here and abroad - can buy access to power and influence.
More from @duncanhames.bsky.social ⤵️
February 13, 2026 at 1:45 PM
🎦 MONEY TALKS 🎦
Yesterday, the Government introduced a bill aiming to stop foreign money influencing British elections.
The problem, though, isn't where the super-rich are from, but that money - from here and abroad - can buy access to power and influence.
More from @duncanhames.bsky.social ⤵️
Yesterday, the Government introduced a bill aiming to stop foreign money influencing British elections.
The problem, though, isn't where the super-rich are from, but that money - from here and abroad - can buy access to power and influence.
More from @duncanhames.bsky.social ⤵️
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
🤔 Fancy doing my job? You won't be bored and #corruption seems to be one of the UK's few growth industries right now! There's just a couple of days left to apply. Details below 👇
⌛ Just a couple of days left to apply for this tremendous comms role!
🕚 The deadline is 23:30 on Saturday night.
🕚 The deadline is 23:30 on Saturday night.
💥 Are you an experienced comms pro with a track record of crafting & delivering messages to achieve real change?
✊ Keen to join the fight against #corruption?
🫵 You might be the person we need! We’re looking for a comms adviser to join the friendly Spotlight team.
Apply below 👇. Deadline: 14 Feb.
✊ Keen to join the fight against #corruption?
🫵 You might be the person we need! We’re looking for a comms adviser to join the friendly Spotlight team.
Apply below 👇. Deadline: 14 Feb.
February 12, 2026 at 12:59 PM
🤔 Fancy doing my job? You won't be bored and #corruption seems to be one of the UK's few growth industries right now! There's just a couple of days left to apply. Details below 👇
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
On 28 Jan, 127 editors, lawyers, journalists and campaigners emailed Sir Keir Starmer calling for anti-SLAPP Provisions to be included in the King's Speech. Today 39 others joined our call, meaning 166 support steps to protect the right to speak out: antislapp.uk/2026/02/13/s...
February 13, 2026 at 12:34 PM
On 28 Jan, 127 editors, lawyers, journalists and campaigners emailed Sir Keir Starmer calling for anti-SLAPP Provisions to be included in the King's Speech. Today 39 others joined our call, meaning 166 support steps to protect the right to speak out: antislapp.uk/2026/02/13/s...
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
📢 Update: More than 160 editors, lawyers, academics, journalists, publishers and civil society representatives, have now called on Keir Starmer to bring forward anti-SLAPP measures in the next Kings Speech.
antislapp.uk/2026/02/13/s...
antislapp.uk/2026/02/13/s...
Support increases for anti-SLAPP protections being included in the King’s Speech - UK Anti-Slapp Coalition
Over 160 signatories join call for anti-SLAPP provisions to be included in King’s Speech in May 2025.
antislapp.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:31 PM
📢 Update: More than 160 editors, lawyers, academics, journalists, publishers and civil society representatives, have now called on Keir Starmer to bring forward anti-SLAPP measures in the next Kings Speech.
antislapp.uk/2026/02/13/s...
antislapp.uk/2026/02/13/s...
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
🎯 Here’s our summary of today’s major setback for the Serious Fraud Office, including a few more thoughts on the challenges of disclosure in the digital age and what needs to happen following the outcome of the Fisher Review later this year.
Collapse of major bribery prosecution triggers review of disclosure in 20 SFO cases - Spotlight on Corruption
Today the Serious Fraud Office dropped a decade-old corruption case against former executives at London Mining PLC and their alleged ‘fixer’, exposing new
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM
🎯 Here’s our summary of today’s major setback for the Serious Fraud Office, including a few more thoughts on the challenges of disclosure in the digital age and what needs to happen following the outcome of the Fisher Review later this year.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
🚨 Very disappointing that disclosure problems have resulted in the Serious Fraud Office dropping its prosecution of former execs at London Mining PLC and their alleged “fixer”, who were charged in 2023 with conspiring to make corrupt payments in #SierraLeone to secure favourable mining deals.
BREAKING: SFO To Revisit 20 Cases After Bribery Prosecution Implodes - Law360
The Serious Fraud Office said Thursday that it is reexamining the integrity of approximately 20 cases after it abandoned a decade-old bribery prosecution because of another failing in disclosure.
www.law360.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 11:38 AM
🚨 Very disappointing that disclosure problems have resulted in the Serious Fraud Office dropping its prosecution of former execs at London Mining PLC and their alleged “fixer”, who were charged in 2023 with conspiring to make corrupt payments in #SierraLeone to secure favourable mining deals.
⌛ Just a couple of days left to apply for this tremendous comms role!
🕚 The deadline is 23:30 on Saturday night.
🕚 The deadline is 23:30 on Saturday night.
💥 Are you an experienced comms pro with a track record of crafting & delivering messages to achieve real change?
✊ Keen to join the fight against #corruption?
🫵 You might be the person we need! We’re looking for a comms adviser to join the friendly Spotlight team.
Apply below 👇. Deadline: 14 Feb.
✊ Keen to join the fight against #corruption?
🫵 You might be the person we need! We’re looking for a comms adviser to join the friendly Spotlight team.
Apply below 👇. Deadline: 14 Feb.
Spotlight is recruiting! We are looking for a Senior Communications Adviser - Spotlight on Corruption
We are looking for a highly motivated and gifted communicator to craft Spotlight’s messages and help us achieve real change.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 12, 2026 at 12:53 PM
⌛ Just a couple of days left to apply for this tremendous comms role!
🕚 The deadline is 23:30 on Saturday night.
🕚 The deadline is 23:30 on Saturday night.
👏 Great to see strong cross-party support for an innovative way to secure sorely needed funding for law enforcement to fight economic crime in last week’s debate on the Crime & Policing Bill. Here’s Crossbench Peer Lord Cromwell making a compelling case for an Economic Crime Fighting Fund (ECFF).
February 12, 2026 at 12:11 PM
👏 Great to see strong cross-party support for an innovative way to secure sorely needed funding for law enforcement to fight economic crime in last week’s debate on the Crime & Policing Bill. Here’s Crossbench Peer Lord Cromwell making a compelling case for an Economic Crime Fighting Fund (ECFF).
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
🚨📽️🧵 1/ Today, the Govt launches its Representation of the People Bill (previous working title: The Elections Bill).
One of the core aims of the Bill is to prevent foreign interference in UK democracy.
Earlier this week, our Chair @philbrickellmp.bsky.social said we need to ban crypto donations...
One of the core aims of the Bill is to prevent foreign interference in UK democracy.
Earlier this week, our Chair @philbrickellmp.bsky.social said we need to ban crypto donations...
February 12, 2026 at 11:56 AM
🚨📽️🧵 1/ Today, the Govt launches its Representation of the People Bill (previous working title: The Elections Bill).
One of the core aims of the Bill is to prevent foreign interference in UK democracy.
Earlier this week, our Chair @philbrickellmp.bsky.social said we need to ban crypto donations...
One of the core aims of the Bill is to prevent foreign interference in UK democracy.
Earlier this week, our Chair @philbrickellmp.bsky.social said we need to ban crypto donations...
🚨 Very disappointing that disclosure problems have resulted in the Serious Fraud Office dropping its prosecution of former execs at London Mining PLC and their alleged “fixer”, who were charged in 2023 with conspiring to make corrupt payments in #SierraLeone to secure favourable mining deals.
BREAKING: SFO To Revisit 20 Cases After Bribery Prosecution Implodes - Law360
The Serious Fraud Office said Thursday that it is reexamining the integrity of approximately 20 cases after it abandoned a decade-old bribery prosecution because of another failing in disclosure.
www.law360.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 11:38 AM
🚨 Very disappointing that disclosure problems have resulted in the Serious Fraud Office dropping its prosecution of former execs at London Mining PLC and their alleged “fixer”, who were charged in 2023 with conspiring to make corrupt payments in #SierraLeone to secure favourable mining deals.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
People rightly want Peter Mandelson to face accountability.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
February 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
People rightly want Peter Mandelson to face accountability.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
People rightly want Peter Mandelson to face accountability.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
February 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
People rightly want Peter Mandelson to face accountability.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
But the UK law for prosecuting misconduct in public office is weak & the new Ethics and Integrity Commission lacks statutory standing.
👉Here @suehawley.bsky.social explains how a key parliamentary bill should address both these issues.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
⚖️ We’re at court today for the first test of the new #economiccrime #SLAPPs strike out power, as @danneidle.bsky.social asks the judge to throw out an £8m libel claim by Setu Kamal, a tax barrister whose alleged role in a tax avoidance scheme was the subject of a report by Tax Policy Associates.
I’m being sued for £8m for publishing a report on tax avoidance
Barrister Setu Kamal is suing me for £8 million over our Arka Wealth investigation. We’re applying to strike it out as a SLAPP and will not remove the article.
taxpolicy.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:04 PM
⚖️ We’re at court today for the first test of the new #economiccrime #SLAPPs strike out power, as @danneidle.bsky.social asks the judge to throw out an £8m libel claim by Setu Kamal, a tax barrister whose alleged role in a tax avoidance scheme was the subject of a report by Tax Policy Associates.
⚖️ We’re at court today for the first test of the new #economiccrime #SLAPPs strike out power, as @danneidle.bsky.social asks the judge to throw out an £8m libel claim by Setu Kamal, a tax barrister whose alleged role in a tax avoidance scheme was the subject of a report by Tax Policy Associates.
I’m being sued for £8m for publishing a report on tax avoidance
Barrister Setu Kamal is suing me for £8 million over our Arka Wealth investigation. We’re applying to strike it out as a SLAPP and will not remove the article.
taxpolicy.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:04 PM
⚖️ We’re at court today for the first test of the new #economiccrime #SLAPPs strike out power, as @danneidle.bsky.social asks the judge to throw out an £8m libel claim by Setu Kamal, a tax barrister whose alleged role in a tax avoidance scheme was the subject of a report by Tax Policy Associates.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
💥 With public opinion of politicians at rock bottom, the government must urgently commit to root-and-branch reform of the way standards in public life are regulated or risk the future of the UK’s democracy, says @suehawley.bsky.social.
No more tinkering – root and branch reform of how politicians are held to account is now essential - Spotlight on Corruption
There is rightly huge public demand that Mandelson and those who saw fit to appoint him face meaningful accountability.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
💥 With public opinion of politicians at rock bottom, the government must urgently commit to root-and-branch reform of the way standards in public life are regulated or risk the future of the UK’s democracy, says @suehawley.bsky.social.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
👀 Today’s announcement by minister @darrenpjones.bsky.social that the govt will look closely at lobbying transparency and review the use of WhatsApp for govt communications is long overdue. But as our scorecard below shows, there is a long way to go.
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
February 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
👀 Today’s announcement by minister @darrenpjones.bsky.social that the govt will look closely at lobbying transparency and review the use of WhatsApp for govt communications is long overdue. But as our scorecard below shows, there is a long way to go.
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
👀 Today’s announcement by minister @darrenpjones.bsky.social that the govt will look closely at lobbying transparency and review the use of WhatsApp for govt communications is long overdue. But as our scorecard below shows, there is a long way to go.
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
February 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
👀 Today’s announcement by minister @darrenpjones.bsky.social that the govt will look closely at lobbying transparency and review the use of WhatsApp for govt communications is long overdue. But as our scorecard below shows, there is a long way to go.
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
www.spotlightcorruption.org/lobbying-sco...
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
With an announcement due on beefing up ethics at 4pm ish (if political events don’t overtake it) here’s our take on where the government has gone wrong on restoring public trust so far and what needs to happen now @appgonacrt.bsky.social @joepowell.bsky.social @philbrickellmp.bsky.social
💥 With public opinion of politicians at rock bottom, the government must urgently commit to root-and-branch reform of the way standards in public life are regulated or risk the future of the UK’s democracy, says @suehawley.bsky.social.
No more tinkering – root and branch reform of how politicians are held to account is now essential - Spotlight on Corruption
There is rightly huge public demand that Mandelson and those who saw fit to appoint him face meaningful accountability.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:59 PM
With an announcement due on beefing up ethics at 4pm ish (if political events don’t overtake it) here’s our take on where the government has gone wrong on restoring public trust so far and what needs to happen now @appgonacrt.bsky.social @joepowell.bsky.social @philbrickellmp.bsky.social
💥 With public opinion of politicians at rock bottom, the government must urgently commit to root-and-branch reform of the way standards in public life are regulated or risk the future of the UK’s democracy, says @suehawley.bsky.social.
No more tinkering – root and branch reform of how politicians are held to account is now essential - Spotlight on Corruption
There is rightly huge public demand that Mandelson and those who saw fit to appoint him face meaningful accountability.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
💥 With public opinion of politicians at rock bottom, the government must urgently commit to root-and-branch reform of the way standards in public life are regulated or risk the future of the UK’s democracy, says @suehawley.bsky.social.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
👀 Sir Brian Leveson has published the 2nd part of his review that addresses the huge court backlog, now at nearly 80k cases. He highlights “chronic underfunding”, the “increasing complexity of the system” and growing inefficiencies as key causes of the backlog.
Independent Review of the Criminal Courts: Part 2
The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, chaired by Sir Brian Leveson, has published Part 2 of the Review.
www.gov.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 AM
👀 Sir Brian Leveson has published the 2nd part of his review that addresses the huge court backlog, now at nearly 80k cases. He highlights “chronic underfunding”, the “increasing complexity of the system” and growing inefficiencies as key causes of the backlog.
Reposted by Spotlight on Corruption
As @spotlightcorruption.org highlight, the new bill meant to strengthen accountability against misconduct at the highest levels of government, unfortunately introduces an "absurdly wide defence of having a ‘reasonable excuse’". This flaw needs to be addressed before its written into law.
🚨 Why bringing misconduct in public office charges against Lord Mandelson faces major hurdles
⛔ Why the changes in the #HillsboroughBill probably won't help
💥 And what needs to happen next if we're to restore integrity to British politics
Read @suehawley.bsky.social's analysis 👇
⛔ Why the changes in the #HillsboroughBill probably won't help
💥 And what needs to happen next if we're to restore integrity to British politics
Read @suehawley.bsky.social's analysis 👇
Mandelson’s misconduct – a moment of reckoning for the UK’s political establishment - Spotlight on Corruption
The Mandelson scandal must lead to a review of whether the new misconduct in public office offence in the Hillsborough Bill is robust enough, and urgent
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 5, 2026 at 6:17 PM
As @spotlightcorruption.org highlight, the new bill meant to strengthen accountability against misconduct at the highest levels of government, unfortunately introduces an "absurdly wide defence of having a ‘reasonable excuse’". This flaw needs to be addressed before its written into law.
⌛Just over a week left to apply for our comms role!
💥 Are you an experienced comms pro with a track record of crafting & delivering messages to achieve real change?
✊ Keen to join the fight against #corruption?
🫵 You might be the person we need! We’re looking for a comms adviser to join the friendly Spotlight team.
Apply below 👇. Deadline: 14 Feb.
✊ Keen to join the fight against #corruption?
🫵 You might be the person we need! We’re looking for a comms adviser to join the friendly Spotlight team.
Apply below 👇. Deadline: 14 Feb.
Spotlight is recruiting! We are looking for a Senior Communications Adviser - Spotlight on Corruption
We are looking for a highly motivated and gifted communicator to craft Spotlight’s messages and help us achieve real change.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:52 PM
⌛Just over a week left to apply for our comms role!
👀 Sir Brian Leveson has published the 2nd part of his review that addresses the huge court backlog, now at nearly 80k cases. He highlights “chronic underfunding”, the “increasing complexity of the system” and growing inefficiencies as key causes of the backlog.
Independent Review of the Criminal Courts: Part 2
The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, chaired by Sir Brian Leveson, has published Part 2 of the Review.
www.gov.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 AM
👀 Sir Brian Leveson has published the 2nd part of his review that addresses the huge court backlog, now at nearly 80k cases. He highlights “chronic underfunding”, the “increasing complexity of the system” and growing inefficiencies as key causes of the backlog.