Andrew Purcell
@andrewpurcell.bsky.social
Journalist turned human rights activist, creative project enthusiast, runner, father of two boys, exhausted shell of a man.
The Times was always a conservative paper but it's startling how hard it's swung to the right under Tony Gallagher, with Labour in power.
This is their top story today, splashed on front page of app.
This is their top story today, splashed on front page of app.
November 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The Times was always a conservative paper but it's startling how hard it's swung to the right under Tony Gallagher, with Labour in power.
This is their top story today, splashed on front page of app.
This is their top story today, splashed on front page of app.
Yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, military police invaded Alemão favela and killed *at least 117 people*.
The usual claim that they were all "narco-terrorists". And yes, some were gang members, of Red Command, heavily-armed.
But without doubt, they also killed civilians, because these raids always do.
The usual claim that they were all "narco-terrorists". And yes, some were gang members, of Red Command, heavily-armed.
But without doubt, they also killed civilians, because these raids always do.
October 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, military police invaded Alemão favela and killed *at least 117 people*.
The usual claim that they were all "narco-terrorists". And yes, some were gang members, of Red Command, heavily-armed.
But without doubt, they also killed civilians, because these raids always do.
The usual claim that they were all "narco-terrorists". And yes, some were gang members, of Red Command, heavily-armed.
But without doubt, they also killed civilians, because these raids always do.
...and therefore can be stripped of UK citizenship by the Home Secretary, as he has a 'plausible claim' to a second nationality.
In this racist, two-tier system, Black and Asian Britons are much more likely to be at risk. Millions of people.
BTW the next Home Secretary gets these unchecked powers.
In this racist, two-tier system, Black and Asian Britons are much more likely to be at risk. Millions of people.
BTW the next Home Secretary gets these unchecked powers.
October 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
...and therefore can be stripped of UK citizenship by the Home Secretary, as he has a 'plausible claim' to a second nationality.
In this racist, two-tier system, Black and Asian Britons are much more likely to be at risk. Millions of people.
BTW the next Home Secretary gets these unchecked powers.
In this racist, two-tier system, Black and Asian Britons are much more likely to be at risk. Millions of people.
BTW the next Home Secretary gets these unchecked powers.
John Woodcock is an arms industry and fossil fuel industry lobbyist, on a mission to further criminalise peaceful protest.
The UK's anti-protest laws are already among most restrictive in the G20.
The UK's anti-protest laws are already among most restrictive in the G20.
October 4, 2025 at 8:57 AM
John Woodcock is an arms industry and fossil fuel industry lobbyist, on a mission to further criminalise peaceful protest.
The UK's anti-protest laws are already among most restrictive in the G20.
The UK's anti-protest laws are already among most restrictive in the G20.
In Brazil, a right wing Congress is attempting to grant amnesty to the men convicted of leading an attempted coup, including former president Bolsonaro.
The country's greatest musicians are calling people to the streets today, to protest 🧵
The country's greatest musicians are calling people to the streets today, to protest 🧵
September 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
In Brazil, a right wing Congress is attempting to grant amnesty to the men convicted of leading an attempted coup, including former president Bolsonaro.
The country's greatest musicians are calling people to the streets today, to protest 🧵
The country's greatest musicians are calling people to the streets today, to protest 🧵
Brazilian friends celebrating through the night, after Bolsonaro is sentenced to 27 years for leading an attempted military coup.
This is 'Moet & Xandão' - the nickname of the Supreme Court judge who presided over the prosecution.
This is 'Moet & Xandão' - the nickname of the Supreme Court judge who presided over the prosecution.
September 12, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Brazilian friends celebrating through the night, after Bolsonaro is sentenced to 27 years for leading an attempted military coup.
This is 'Moet & Xandão' - the nickname of the Supreme Court judge who presided over the prosecution.
This is 'Moet & Xandão' - the nickname of the Supreme Court judge who presided over the prosecution.
Just to be clear, this is what Nigel Farage is proposing. The right wing media will do their best to make it happen, but do enough British people want it? I cannot believe that.
August 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Just to be clear, this is what Nigel Farage is proposing. The right wing media will do their best to make it happen, but do enough British people want it? I cannot believe that.
It's 42C in North East Syria today.
British women and children have been abandoned there for six years, living in tents, in a prison camp, because their government refuses to bring them home.
British women and children have been abandoned there for six years, living in tents, in a prison camp, because their government refuses to bring them home.
August 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
It's 42C in North East Syria today.
British women and children have been abandoned there for six years, living in tents, in a prison camp, because their government refuses to bring them home.
British women and children have been abandoned there for six years, living in tents, in a prison camp, because their government refuses to bring them home.
This is so cowardly from UEFA that even Mo Salah, who very rarely comments on anything but football, is calling them out.
And yes, of course, he was killed by the Israeli military.
And yes, of course, he was killed by the Israeli military.
August 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This is so cowardly from UEFA that even Mo Salah, who very rarely comments on anything but football, is calling them out.
And yes, of course, he was killed by the Israeli military.
And yes, of course, he was killed by the Israeli military.
Israel is deliberately and systematically starving children to death. The UK Government continues to support Israel. Condemnation is not enough.
July 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Israel is deliberately and systematically starving children to death. The UK Government continues to support Israel. Condemnation is not enough.
Every day a new atrocity. Every day Israel kills more Palestinian children.
The evidence of genocide is overwhelming. Yet Keir Starmer's UK Government continues to support Israel. We will not forget.
The evidence of genocide is overwhelming. Yet Keir Starmer's UK Government continues to support Israel. We will not forget.
July 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Every day a new atrocity. Every day Israel kills more Palestinian children.
The evidence of genocide is overwhelming. Yet Keir Starmer's UK Government continues to support Israel. We will not forget.
The evidence of genocide is overwhelming. Yet Keir Starmer's UK Government continues to support Israel. We will not forget.
Neville Staple at Godiva Festival in Coventry. "He's got a pacemaker after we resuscitated him twice!"
July 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Neville Staple at Godiva Festival in Coventry. "He's got a pacemaker after we resuscitated him twice!"
I found @firdosem.bsky.social's reaction to SA winning the World Test Champs v moving, as well as excellent radio commentary, filled with love and appreciation for the game and for her country.
June 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I found @firdosem.bsky.social's reaction to SA winning the World Test Champs v moving, as well as excellent radio commentary, filled with love and appreciation for the game and for her country.
The NYT has a similar headline. His deportation was not an "administrative error" - this is Trump admin spin after a court ordered his return. He was just one man illegally stripped of his rights by a racist political project. No mistake about it.
June 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The NYT has a similar headline. His deportation was not an "administrative error" - this is Trump admin spin after a court ordered his return. He was just one man illegally stripped of his rights by a racist political project. No mistake about it.
Endless media pieces hyping Oasis as the cultural event of the summer, and Supergrass - a better band, with better songs - are out there touring venues where you can get right down the front without 'dynamic pricing'.
May 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Endless media pieces hyping Oasis as the cultural event of the summer, and Supergrass - a better band, with better songs - are out there touring venues where you can get right down the front without 'dynamic pricing'.
I've loved Shack's songs half my life and never seen them live so Union Chapel gig was always going to be emotional.
And no, Mick can't hit the high notes but he weaves it all together - brother John's beautiful guitar lines, Ian Skelly's drums - and deserves all the love he gets from the crowd.
And no, Mick can't hit the high notes but he weaves it all together - brother John's beautiful guitar lines, Ian Skelly's drums - and deserves all the love he gets from the crowd.
May 6, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I've loved Shack's songs half my life and never seen them live so Union Chapel gig was always going to be emotional.
And no, Mick can't hit the high notes but he weaves it all together - brother John's beautiful guitar lines, Ian Skelly's drums - and deserves all the love he gets from the crowd.
And no, Mick can't hit the high notes but he weaves it all together - brother John's beautiful guitar lines, Ian Skelly's drums - and deserves all the love he gets from the crowd.
As it happens, I'm reading this extraordinary book on the anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
The contrast between the proud club at the heart of a community and the soulless global brand Man United has become is painful.
The contrast between the proud club at the heart of a community and the soulless global brand Man United has become is painful.
February 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
As it happens, I'm reading this extraordinary book on the anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
The contrast between the proud club at the heart of a community and the soulless global brand Man United has become is painful.
The contrast between the proud club at the heart of a community and the soulless global brand Man United has become is painful.
I got two points fewer and earned this snarky response
December 21, 2024 at 9:56 AM
I got two points fewer and earned this snarky response
Just the President and his deputy signalling that choking a Black man to death makes you a hero.
December 13, 2024 at 8:32 PM
Just the President and his deputy signalling that choking a Black man to death makes you a hero.
If that vote was for Donald Trump, yes, absolutely.
December 6, 2024 at 1:48 PM
If that vote was for Donald Trump, yes, absolutely.
Set aside killing more than 40,000 men, women and children, the vast majority of them civilians. Below is a short, incomplete list of actions Israel has taken in 'self-defence' in the last year. It is unfathomable that so many in the US, UK and EU continue to justify these crimes
October 4, 2024 at 6:58 PM
Set aside killing more than 40,000 men, women and children, the vast majority of them civilians. Below is a short, incomplete list of actions Israel has taken in 'self-defence' in the last year. It is unfathomable that so many in the US, UK and EU continue to justify these crimes
What an utter cop out. Vance will get a pass from moderators, only a tiny, self-selecting group of CBS viewers will see the fact checks and his lies will go unchallenged.
September 30, 2024 at 10:02 PM
What an utter cop out. Vance will get a pass from moderators, only a tiny, self-selecting group of CBS viewers will see the fact checks and his lies will go unchallenged.
This is a British version of Trump's notorious "Mexicans are bringing drugs, crime and rapists" speech in 2015 - pandering to the racists in his party to get elected.
It is also extraordinarily dangerous and irresponsible, weeks after far right rioters targeted immigrants and Muslims.
It is also extraordinarily dangerous and irresponsible, weeks after far right rioters targeted immigrants and Muslims.
September 22, 2024 at 2:11 PM
This is a British version of Trump's notorious "Mexicans are bringing drugs, crime and rapists" speech in 2015 - pandering to the racists in his party to get elected.
It is also extraordinarily dangerous and irresponsible, weeks after far right rioters targeted immigrants and Muslims.
It is also extraordinarily dangerous and irresponsible, weeks after far right rioters targeted immigrants and Muslims.
Six years after I last reported on US politics or criminal justice, I still get these emails, no matter how many I block.
This one advertising 100 cops in "pro-Trump attire" showing their support for "President Trump" ahead of his rally in suburban Long Island.
This one advertising 100 cops in "pro-Trump attire" showing their support for "President Trump" ahead of his rally in suburban Long Island.
September 18, 2024 at 4:10 PM
Six years after I last reported on US politics or criminal justice, I still get these emails, no matter how many I block.
This one advertising 100 cops in "pro-Trump attire" showing their support for "President Trump" ahead of his rally in suburban Long Island.
This one advertising 100 cops in "pro-Trump attire" showing their support for "President Trump" ahead of his rally in suburban Long Island.
This NYT leader won't achieve its stated aim of getting Biden to end federal executions. It is unlikely to persuade executing states. But it's a big deal that the paper has adopted so much abolitionist messaging: botched executions, racial disparities, targets most vulnerable, no humane method.
September 2, 2024 at 8:13 PM
This NYT leader won't achieve its stated aim of getting Biden to end federal executions. It is unlikely to persuade executing states. But it's a big deal that the paper has adopted so much abolitionist messaging: botched executions, racial disparities, targets most vulnerable, no humane method.