FrancesCrook@bsky.social
@francescrook.bsky.social
Co-convenor of the Commission on Political Power https://commissionpoliticalpower.uk
Francescrook.Substack.com
Francescrook.Substack.com
Pinned
I was very proud to be awarded the Stockholm Prize in Criminology by the Queen of Sweden, jointly with Professor Bryan Stevenson
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Since we released this @johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social documentary two years ago, more information has come to light that Boris Johnson went to this meeting to discuss a 'backchannel' to Putin with Alexander Lebedev, who was working for the Kremlin in Crimea at the time
youtu.be/QkZzN3XHEPY?...
youtu.be/QkZzN3XHEPY?...
Boris Johnson's KGB Links EXPOSED - John Sweeney FULL Documentary
YouTube video by Byline TV
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Since we released this @johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social documentary two years ago, more information has come to light that Boris Johnson went to this meeting to discuss a 'backchannel' to Putin with Alexander Lebedev, who was working for the Kremlin in Crimea at the time
youtu.be/QkZzN3XHEPY?...
youtu.be/QkZzN3XHEPY?...
A great loss to our cultural and artistic life, Tom Stoppard also supported my work at the Howard League
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sir Tom Stoppard, playwright famed for his wit and depth, dies at 88
The King and Queen pay tribute to a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM
A great loss to our cultural and artistic life, Tom Stoppard also supported my work at the Howard League
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
We now get Home Office press releases about immigration nearly every day. Interesting to note the language. They obviously want to be seen to be taking action, but “illegal migrants” are not the same as “asylum seekers”
November 29, 2025 at 9:21 AM
We now get Home Office press releases about immigration nearly every day. Interesting to note the language. They obviously want to be seen to be taking action, but “illegal migrants” are not the same as “asylum seekers”
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
"that's correct, i intended to do the war crimes"
November 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"that's correct, i intended to do the war crimes"
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
‘When the ceasefire was announced on 9 October, I wanted to believe it was over. I don’t think I was alone, but I do know that I was entirely wrong.
That period, it has transpired, was merely a transition to another phase of land grabbing.’
@selmadabbagh.bsky.social
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/no...
That period, it has transpired, was merely a transition to another phase of land grabbing.’
@selmadabbagh.bsky.social
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/no...
Selma Dabbagh | Rebranding Genocide
The killing of Palestinians has continued, sometimes surpassing pre-ceasefire levels and accelerating viciously in the...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
‘When the ceasefire was announced on 9 October, I wanted to believe it was over. I don’t think I was alone, but I do know that I was entirely wrong.
That period, it has transpired, was merely a transition to another phase of land grabbing.’
@selmadabbagh.bsky.social
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/no...
That period, it has transpired, was merely a transition to another phase of land grabbing.’
@selmadabbagh.bsky.social
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/no...
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
"Just like in Kent, Reform are finding out that making big pledges about cutting wasteful spending is the easy part. When you actually get to the governing, it all becomes a lot more difficult."
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
Darren Grimes' Reform council sees financial black hole grow by £11m
The financial black hole of Reform-controlled Durham County Council - where Darren Grimes is deputy leader - has grown by £11.1m in two months.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"Just like in Kent, Reform are finding out that making big pledges about cutting wasteful spending is the easy part. When you actually get to the governing, it all becomes a lot more difficult."
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-durham-county-council-darren-grimes-400775/
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Free school meals help children learn, support families and give every child the chance to thrive.
This week we reached a milestone: 100 million free school meals delivered to London’s state primary school children. I’ll continue funding this programme as long as I am Mayor.
This week we reached a milestone: 100 million free school meals delivered to London’s state primary school children. I’ll continue funding this programme as long as I am Mayor.
November 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Free school meals help children learn, support families and give every child the chance to thrive.
This week we reached a milestone: 100 million free school meals delivered to London’s state primary school children. I’ll continue funding this programme as long as I am Mayor.
This week we reached a milestone: 100 million free school meals delivered to London’s state primary school children. I’ll continue funding this programme as long as I am Mayor.
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Around 26,000 of the neediest people in County Durham will have to start paying council tax next year as the county council scraps 100% rebates for people of working age.
About 2,400 others who already pay some council tax will lose part of their rebate.
About 2,400 others who already pay some council tax will lose part of their rebate.
Council tax shock for thousands of Durham’s poorest – thanks to Reform UK
Durham will scrap full council-tax rebates, forcing 26,000 low-income working-age residents to start paying for the first time
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Around 26,000 of the neediest people in County Durham will have to start paying council tax next year as the county council scraps 100% rebates for people of working age.
About 2,400 others who already pay some council tax will lose part of their rebate.
About 2,400 others who already pay some council tax will lose part of their rebate.
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Bibby Stockholm barge provider admits overcharging UK customers by £80m
www.mlex.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Top headline on Radio 4 just now: "The government is being pressed to explain the real costs of taxis for asylum seekers".
There's clearly some misuse of money going on here, but is this genuinely THE most important thing happening in the world today?
There's clearly some misuse of money going on here, but is this genuinely THE most important thing happening in the world today?
Radcliffe and Maconie on BBC 6 music is one of my favourite things
Having it interrupted by breathless news bulletin telling me ‘government has banned taxis for asylum seekers’ *really isn’t*
New lines like ‘Home Office spent £1k over weekend on taxis’ would struggle to make a local newspaper
Having it interrupted by breathless news bulletin telling me ‘government has banned taxis for asylum seekers’ *really isn’t*
New lines like ‘Home Office spent £1k over weekend on taxis’ would struggle to make a local newspaper
November 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Top headline on Radio 4 just now: "The government is being pressed to explain the real costs of taxis for asylum seekers".
There's clearly some misuse of money going on here, but is this genuinely THE most important thing happening in the world today?
There's clearly some misuse of money going on here, but is this genuinely THE most important thing happening in the world today?
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
I know I rant about this all the time but the rabid - and omnipresence - anti immigrant line on BBC 6 music news is so jarring
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
November 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I know I rant about this all the time but the rabid - and omnipresence - anti immigrant line on BBC 6 music news is so jarring
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
James’s terminally ill mum had to travel to Dignitas alone for an assisted death.
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
November 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
James’s terminally ill mum had to travel to Dignitas alone for an assisted death.
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
Now, one year on from MPs voting for the assisted dying Bill, a handful of Peers are trying to delay and derail it.
Write to Peers and let them know we expect progress, not sabotage.
dignityindying.org.uk/actnow
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Just 10k signatures needed now
Just 13k more signatures and the call for a public inquiry into Russian interference has to be debate in Parliament
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Just 10k signatures needed now
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
This would be a war crime even if there were an actual war and these people were actual combatants, which there isn't and they weren't.
It's unquestionably an unlawful homicide under any form of law you wish to apply: military or civilian, domestic or international, federal or state. ...
It's unquestionably an unlawful homicide under any form of law you wish to apply: military or civilian, domestic or international, federal or state. ...
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
This would be a war crime even if there were an actual war and these people were actual combatants, which there isn't and they weren't.
It's unquestionably an unlawful homicide under any form of law you wish to apply: military or civilian, domestic or international, federal or state. ...
It's unquestionably an unlawful homicide under any form of law you wish to apply: military or civilian, domestic or international, federal or state. ...
I’ve got a visitor
November 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I’ve got a visitor
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Anyway from now on we can all legitimately call Reform the "Black Shirts" - given they're flogging them to their actual members.
What an own goal!
Geddit?
What an own goal!
Geddit?
It takes a special kind of right-wing British political party to literally sell black shirts.
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
November 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Anyway from now on we can all legitimately call Reform the "Black Shirts" - given they're flogging them to their actual members.
What an own goal!
Geddit?
What an own goal!
Geddit?
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
We're recruiting!
Please do spread the news far and wide. We're excited by the prospect of being joined by another great new colleague!
Please do spread the news far and wide. We're excited by the prospect of being joined by another great new colleague!
Join and help to lead the Constitution Unit!
@uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities.
Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD.
Apply 👇
@uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities.
Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD.
Apply 👇
Job opportunity: Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics
The UCL Department of Political Science and Constitution Unit are seeking to appoint a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics. The successful candidate will join the senior team at the Unit.
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
We're recruiting!
Please do spread the news far and wide. We're excited by the prospect of being joined by another great new colleague!
Please do spread the news far and wide. We're excited by the prospect of being joined by another great new colleague!
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Public pressure for an inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics is growing - and rightly so.
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
🚨BOOM! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 80,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000 this weekend. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Public pressure for an inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics is growing - and rightly so.
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
It’s when someone starts a sentence with ‘I’m not racist but….” that you know they are going to say something really offensive.
November 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It’s when someone starts a sentence with ‘I’m not racist but….” that you know they are going to say something really offensive.
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Read this.
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
”Reform UK's barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don't play the bullies game." Martin Shipton from @nation.cymru on being bullied by Reform's lawyers: www.thenerve.news/p/reform-nat...
Reform UK’s barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don’t play the bully’s game
My news organisation, Nation.Cymru, was threatened with legal action over a story involving Nigel Farage’s party in the Senedd. Instead of hiring our own lawyer, we simply told them to go away, writes...
www.thenerve.news
November 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Read this.
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
13 November 1947: Clement Attlee accepts Hugh Dalton's resignation as chancellor after he leaked details of his budget to a lobby journalist
The leaks, reported by the Star newspaper, were published 15 minutes before Dalton began reading his budget speech
www.nytimes.com/1947/11/14/a...
The leaks, reported by the Star newspaper, were published 15 minutes before Dalton began reading his budget speech
www.nytimes.com/1947/11/14/a...
November 27, 2025 at 6:38 PM
13 November 1947: Clement Attlee accepts Hugh Dalton's resignation as chancellor after he leaked details of his budget to a lobby journalist
The leaks, reported by the Star newspaper, were published 15 minutes before Dalton began reading his budget speech
www.nytimes.com/1947/11/14/a...
The leaks, reported by the Star newspaper, were published 15 minutes before Dalton began reading his budget speech
www.nytimes.com/1947/11/14/a...
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Also the Romans literally had a welfare system that included cash transfers for poor children. (And subsidised grain for low income workers...).
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
November 28, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Also the Romans literally had a welfare system that included cash transfers for poor children. (And subsidised grain for low income workers...).
Reposted by FrancesCrook@bsky.social
Here's UKIP's former Scottish leader David Coburn, who has denied taking Russian bribes after being named in Whatsapp messages between Nathan Gill and a pawn of the Putin administration, being applauded by Gill for arguing against Ukraine's entry to the EU
November 28, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Here's UKIP's former Scottish leader David Coburn, who has denied taking Russian bribes after being named in Whatsapp messages between Nathan Gill and a pawn of the Putin administration, being applauded by Gill for arguing against Ukraine's entry to the EU