James Bolton-Jones
@jamesbj.bsky.social
Advocacy & Policy at Spotlight on Corruption, a UK based charity shining a light on the UK’s role in corruption at home and abroad. Views own.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
Nearly every trail of dirty money leads to a shell company in the British Virgin Islands or another UK-linked financial centre.
It’s time for the UK to end the corporate secrecy in its Overseas Territories that enables global financial crime.
It’s time for the UK to end the corporate secrecy in its Overseas Territories that enables global financial crime.
🚨 NEW 🚨
Billions of pounds of dirty money have been laundered through shell companies in the UK Overseas Territories, such as the BVI.
This impacts national security and worsens global poverty.
As David Lammy faces the Foreign Affairs Committee today, see why it's time for urgent action ⤵️
Billions of pounds of dirty money have been laundered through shell companies in the UK Overseas Territories, such as the BVI.
This impacts national security and worsens global poverty.
As David Lammy faces the Foreign Affairs Committee today, see why it's time for urgent action ⤵️
July 8, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Nearly every trail of dirty money leads to a shell company in the British Virgin Islands or another UK-linked financial centre.
It’s time for the UK to end the corporate secrecy in its Overseas Territories that enables global financial crime.
It’s time for the UK to end the corporate secrecy in its Overseas Territories that enables global financial crime.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👇 Really important story from @byrobdavies.bsky.social on the ongoing failure of British overseas territories to honour their pledges to introduce accessible registers of company ownership – a key tool in the fight against dirty money.
British overseas territories miss final deadline to crack down on ‘dirty money’
Island havens accused of ‘defying the will of parliament’ after failing to initiate corporate transparency measures
www.theguardian.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:41 AM
👇 Really important story from @byrobdavies.bsky.social on the ongoing failure of British overseas territories to honour their pledges to introduce accessible registers of company ownership – a key tool in the fight against dirty money.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👇 Great report from our friends at @influencemap.bsky.social on how the UK’s feeble efforts on lobbying transparency have undermined the policy response to one of the world’s most pressing challenges: climate change.
🚨 🇬🇧 New from InfleunceMap: How major lobbying transparency gaps are enabling efforts to delay UK climate & energy policy.
This new analysis finds that the true advocacy picture on many climate policies is often obscured by lax reporting and disclosure regulations, leading to derailment and delay 👇
This new analysis finds that the true advocacy picture on many climate policies is often obscured by lax reporting and disclosure regulations, leading to derailment and delay 👇
Climate and Energy Lobbying in the UK
**InfluenceMap’s analysis indicates that there is a major transparency gap between the climate lobbying taking place in the UK, and that which is disclosed by companies and the Government.**
influencemap.org
June 26, 2025 at 11:29 AM
👇 Great report from our friends at @influencemap.bsky.social on how the UK’s feeble efforts on lobbying transparency have undermined the policy response to one of the world’s most pressing challenges: climate change.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👀 The Treasury recently published the first report on the Economic Crime Levy (ECL). In our new blog we argue that this new funding mechanism for tackling economic crime has notable strengths but also real limitations.
The first Economic Crime Levy report: our analysis - Spotlight on Corruption
The first report on the Economic Crime Levy (ECL) published by the Treasury demonstrates both the strengths and limitations of this new funding mechanism.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
May 22, 2025 at 10:59 AM
👀 The Treasury recently published the first report on the Economic Crime Levy (ECL). In our new blog we argue that this new funding mechanism for tackling economic crime has notable strengths but also real limitations.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👇 Great spot by @owenboswarva.bsky.social. We thought this was likely the case but it is nevertheless disappointing to see it confirmed by Cabinet Office Minister @georgiagould.bsky.social yesterday:
Confirmation that UK Labour has cancelled the central platform for transparency data, announced by the Tories in 2023 questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Strengthening Ethics and Integrity in Central Government (July 2023, pg 5) www.gov.uk/government/p...
#opengov #opendata #govtech
Strengthening Ethics and Integrity in Central Government (July 2023, pg 5) www.gov.uk/government/p...
#opengov #opendata #govtech
April 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
👇 Great spot by @owenboswarva.bsky.social. We thought this was likely the case but it is nevertheless disappointing to see it confirmed by Cabinet Office Minister @georgiagould.bsky.social yesterday:
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
🤔 Not a fan of corruption?
❗Interested in ways to improve trust in politics?
😃 Keen to work alongside our small friendly team?
🫵 You might be the person we're looking for!
@spotlightcorruption.org is recruiting a new lead for our work on #DefendingDemocracy
Deadline: 16/3/25
More details below 👇
❗Interested in ways to improve trust in politics?
😃 Keen to work alongside our small friendly team?
🫵 You might be the person we're looking for!
@spotlightcorruption.org is recruiting a new lead for our work on #DefendingDemocracy
Deadline: 16/3/25
More details below 👇
Spotlight is recruiting! We are looking for a new lead for our Defending Democracy work - Spotlight on Corruption
Spotlight on Corruption has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to lead our work on defending UK democracy, by pushing for reforms that
www.spotlightcorruption.org
March 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
🤔 Not a fan of corruption?
❗Interested in ways to improve trust in politics?
😃 Keen to work alongside our small friendly team?
🫵 You might be the person we're looking for!
@spotlightcorruption.org is recruiting a new lead for our work on #DefendingDemocracy
Deadline: 16/3/25
More details below 👇
❗Interested in ways to improve trust in politics?
😃 Keen to work alongside our small friendly team?
🫵 You might be the person we're looking for!
@spotlightcorruption.org is recruiting a new lead for our work on #DefendingDemocracy
Deadline: 16/3/25
More details below 👇
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
✌️ Victory! @spotlightcorruption.org is delighted to see our campaign to give law enforcement agencies greater protection from legal costs when pursuing the assets of deep-pocketed crooks has been successful. The measure has been included in the new Crime Bill announced in Parliament this week 👇.
Crime and Policing Bill: Proceeds of crime factsheet
www.gov.uk
February 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
✌️ Victory! @spotlightcorruption.org is delighted to see our campaign to give law enforcement agencies greater protection from legal costs when pursuing the assets of deep-pocketed crooks has been successful. The measure has been included in the new Crime Bill announced in Parliament this week 👇.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
🆕 BLOG 🆕
Keir Starmer's ministerial code promised a new register of ministerial gifts and hospitality.
Now, as the first set of transparency records under these new rules are published, Rose Whiffen looks at what has actually been delivered.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/promise...
Keir Starmer's ministerial code promised a new register of ministerial gifts and hospitality.
Now, as the first set of transparency records under these new rules are published, Rose Whiffen looks at what has actually been delivered.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/promise...
Promise vs practice: Why Britain's new ministerial gift register misses the mark
Government's attempt to enhance transparency through a new register system leaves much to be desired in both form and function.
www.transparency.org.uk
February 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
🆕 BLOG 🆕
Keir Starmer's ministerial code promised a new register of ministerial gifts and hospitality.
Now, as the first set of transparency records under these new rules are published, Rose Whiffen looks at what has actually been delivered.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/promise...
Keir Starmer's ministerial code promised a new register of ministerial gifts and hospitality.
Now, as the first set of transparency records under these new rules are published, Rose Whiffen looks at what has actually been delivered.
www.transparency.org.uk/news/promise...
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👓 WHAT WE'RE READING – 5 stories from the anti-corruption world
😓 It's been a terrible few weeks but it has produced some brilliant and important writing.
1️⃣ @thetimes.com: A fired-up @edwardlucas.bsky.social calls on the UK to up its anti-corruption game in response to developments in the US.
😓 It's been a terrible few weeks but it has produced some brilliant and important writing.
1️⃣ @thetimes.com: A fired-up @edwardlucas.bsky.social calls on the UK to up its anti-corruption game in response to developments in the US.
Trump has given kleptocrats the green light
With the US abandoning the fight against corruption Britain must improve its lacklustre record
www.thetimes.com
February 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
👓 WHAT WE'RE READING – 5 stories from the anti-corruption world
😓 It's been a terrible few weeks but it has produced some brilliant and important writing.
1️⃣ @thetimes.com: A fired-up @edwardlucas.bsky.social calls on the UK to up its anti-corruption game in response to developments in the US.
😓 It's been a terrible few weeks but it has produced some brilliant and important writing.
1️⃣ @thetimes.com: A fired-up @edwardlucas.bsky.social calls on the UK to up its anti-corruption game in response to developments in the US.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
✨🔍 NEW 🔍✨
We’ve just added 6000+ new meetings to our Open Access database of Westminster and (now) Holyrood meetings with external organisations.
Check out the new data here ⤵️ openaccess.transparency.org.uk
We’ve just added 6000+ new meetings to our Open Access database of Westminster and (now) Holyrood meetings with external organisations.
Check out the new data here ⤵️ openaccess.transparency.org.uk
Open Access UK: monitor lobbying meetings with in the UK
Who’s #lobbying the UK? Check Open Access UK
openaccess.transparency.org.uk
February 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
✨🔍 NEW 🔍✨
We’ve just added 6000+ new meetings to our Open Access database of Westminster and (now) Holyrood meetings with external organisations.
Check out the new data here ⤵️ openaccess.transparency.org.uk
We’ve just added 6000+ new meetings to our Open Access database of Westminster and (now) Holyrood meetings with external organisations.
Check out the new data here ⤵️ openaccess.transparency.org.uk
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
📨 We'll shortly be sending out our latest newsletter, with commentary from @suehawley.bsky.social, our submissions to the spending review and the @legalservicesboard.bsky.social, and a job advert 🫵.
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
February 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
📨 We'll shortly be sending out our latest newsletter, with commentary from @suehawley.bsky.social, our submissions to the spending review and the @legalservicesboard.bsky.social, and a job advert 🫵.
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
📢 Awesome opportunity to join the team at Spotlight on Corruption and work on an incredibly important and interesting topic. Apply via the link below and please share with anyone you think would be a good fit for the role👇
⭐ EXCITING OPPORTUNITY to join our small friendly team at @spotlightcorruption.org!
We're looking for someone to lead our work on defending UK democracy – pushing for reforms to:
👉 enhance public trust in govt &
👉 prevent foreign interference in UK politics.
📆 Deadline: Sunday 16 March
#CharityJob
We're looking for someone to lead our work on defending UK democracy – pushing for reforms to:
👉 enhance public trust in govt &
👉 prevent foreign interference in UK politics.
📆 Deadline: Sunday 16 March
#CharityJob
Senior policy and campaign lead on defending UK democracy | Spotlight on Corruption | CharityJob
Apply now for Senior policy and campaign lead on defending UK democracy. , £52,016 per year, find a career with meaning today
www.charityjob.co.uk
February 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
📢 Awesome opportunity to join the team at Spotlight on Corruption and work on an incredibly important and interesting topic. Apply via the link below and please share with anyone you think would be a good fit for the role👇
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👏Great to see @mp4stratford.bsky.social sky.social highlighting the urgent need for political finance reforms to protect our democracy from undue influence. We look forward to seeing the details of the Political Donations Bill when it returns to @houseofcommons.parliament.uk
February 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
👏Great to see @mp4stratford.bsky.social sky.social highlighting the urgent need for political finance reforms to protect our democracy from undue influence. We look forward to seeing the details of the Political Donations Bill when it returns to @houseofcommons.parliament.uk
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
📨 Our latest newsletter is winging its way to our subscribers' inboxes right now!
👇 If you are not already a subscriber, click below to see what's on offer.
✍️ And sign up at our website if you would like to receive future editions: www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
👇 If you are not already a subscriber, click below to see what's on offer.
✍️ And sign up at our website if you would like to receive future editions: www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
Spotlight on Corruption's latest newsletter is out!
Highlights of this month's newsletter include details of our work on political finance and standards in public life; a missed opportunity to improve anti-money laundering regulation of the legal profe...
mailchi.mp
February 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
📨 Our latest newsletter is winging its way to our subscribers' inboxes right now!
👇 If you are not already a subscriber, click below to see what's on offer.
✍️ And sign up at our website if you would like to receive future editions: www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
👇 If you are not already a subscriber, click below to see what's on offer.
✍️ And sign up at our website if you would like to receive future editions: www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
📨 We'll shortly be sending out our latest newsletter, packed with great stories about all the work we did in January.
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
February 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
📨 We'll shortly be sending out our latest newsletter, packed with great stories about all the work we did in January.
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
✍️ Sign up at our website if you would like to receive it:
www.spotlightcorruption.org/newsletter/
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
Proper investigation of Abramovich’s tax affairs is essential, particularly in light of concerns that HMRC is failing to use all the tools available to pursue wealthy individuals and companies. It doesn't matter how rich you are - everyone should have to pay their fair share.
The APPG calls on HMRC to urgently investigate whether Abramovich owes up to £1bn in unpaid tax, and to recover all that's owed, following investigation by @tbij.bsky.social @theguardian.com and BBC News 👇
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Roman Abramovich’s tax affairs must be investigated, MPs say
Cross-party group on tax calls for HMRC to act after Guardian investigation finds former Chelsea owner may owe up to £1bn
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Proper investigation of Abramovich’s tax affairs is essential, particularly in light of concerns that HMRC is failing to use all the tools available to pursue wealthy individuals and companies. It doesn't matter how rich you are - everyone should have to pay their fair share.
📢 The latest publication of departmental transparency releases is out today. This will show who the new government has been meeting with in its first months in power…
www.gov.uk/search/trans...
www.gov.uk/search/trans...
Transparency and freedom of information releases
Find transparency and freedom of information releases from government
www.gov.uk
January 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
📢 The latest publication of departmental transparency releases is out today. This will show who the new government has been meeting with in its first months in power…
www.gov.uk/search/trans...
www.gov.uk/search/trans...
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👀 A recent flurry of parliamentary interventions is piling pressure on the UK Government to introduce major reforms to the UK’s political finance rules. While the Govt’s promise to introduce reforms is welcome, there is no time to lose.
Foreign donors: Parliamentary pressure grows for ambitious reforms to the UK’s political finance regime - Spotlight on Corruption
Galvanised by the prospect of foreign donors – including a certain US-based tech billionaire – potentially contributing to UK political parties, over the last
www.spotlightcorruption.org
January 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
👀 A recent flurry of parliamentary interventions is piling pressure on the UK Government to introduce major reforms to the UK’s political finance rules. While the Govt’s promise to introduce reforms is welcome, there is no time to lose.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👇 Really good piece from my colleague George on Lord Anderson's new ethics bill. "Steps to bolster the regulation of standards in public life are long overdue. Here is a ready-made Bill to do just that. The govt should ... throw their weight behind this well-considered ... piece of legislation."
🆕 Yesterday @bricksilk.bsky.social introduced a crucial Private Members’ Bill which would significantly improve #ethics regulation in government. In our latest article we examine why this Bill is desperately needed and why the government should seize this opportunity with both hands:
New Bill aims to restore public trust in our politics and fix the UK’s broken system of ethics regulation - Spotlight on Corruption
Yesterday the House of Lords saw the first reading of a crucial Private Members’ Bill* which would significantly improve ethics regulation in government.
www.spotlightcorruption.org
January 23, 2025 at 12:08 PM
👇 Really good piece from my colleague George on Lord Anderson's new ethics bill. "Steps to bolster the regulation of standards in public life are long overdue. Here is a ready-made Bill to do just that. The govt should ... throw their weight behind this well-considered ... piece of legislation."
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
🚨 Statement 🚨
We have called for the City Minister Tulip Siddiq to relinquish the anti-corruption duties of her role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1/8
We have called for the City Minister Tulip Siddiq to relinquish the anti-corruption duties of her role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1/8
Tulip Siddiq urged to step back from anti-corruption duties
Siddiq, whose role includes tackling corruption in UK financial markets, has been named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
🚨 Statement 🚨
We have called for the City Minister Tulip Siddiq to relinquish the anti-corruption duties of her role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1/8
We have called for the City Minister Tulip Siddiq to relinquish the anti-corruption duties of her role.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1/8
👀 A few things coming up in Parliament this and next week for anyone interested in what the Government should do to reform the UK's Swiss-🧀-style political finance laws.
January 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
👀 A few things coming up in Parliament this and next week for anyone interested in what the Government should do to reform the UK's Swiss-🧀-style political finance laws.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
"The UK is so vulnerable to being influenced by money coming in from people like Musk into our political system because we don't have any checks and balances."
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas discusses Musk and British politics.
#Newsnight
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas discusses Musk and British politics.
#Newsnight
January 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
"The UK is so vulnerable to being influenced by money coming in from people like Musk into our political system because we don't have any checks and balances."
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas discusses Musk and British politics.
#Newsnight
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas discusses Musk and British politics.
#Newsnight
Amazing opportunity!
🚨We're hiring!🚨
The APPG is looking for a dedicated coordinator, hosted by
@fpcthinktank.bsky.social. Details below👇
fpc.org.uk/about/workin...
The APPG is looking for a dedicated coordinator, hosted by
@fpcthinktank.bsky.social. Details below👇
fpc.org.uk/about/workin...
Coordinator for the APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax - The Foreign Policy Centre
The Foreign Policy Centre (FPC) is looking to recruit a Coordinator for the APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax to join its team. Location: London Salary: £37.5k – £42.5k, dependent on exper...
fpc.org.uk
January 7, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Amazing opportunity!
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
👏 We’re delighted to see @electoralcommission.org.uk throw its weight behind our long-standing call for political parties to introduce ‘know your donor’ policies, in this great @theguardian.com interview by @pippacrerar.bsky.social.
Starmer urged to change donation rules amid talk of Musk bankrolling Reform
Exclusive: Electoral Commission wants law changed amid concern over Elon Musk’s plan to donate to Reform UK
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2024 at 1:38 PM
👏 We’re delighted to see @electoralcommission.org.uk throw its weight behind our long-standing call for political parties to introduce ‘know your donor’ policies, in this great @theguardian.com interview by @pippacrerar.bsky.social.
Reposted by James Bolton-Jones
2026 seems too late to close the loopholes allowing foreign funding of UK political parties
It's not like the warnings are new - this has been a longstanding call of almost every leading democracy/transparency group in the UK
It's not like the warnings are new - this has been a longstanding call of almost every leading democracy/transparency group in the UK
December 19, 2024 at 7:57 AM
2026 seems too late to close the loopholes allowing foreign funding of UK political parties
It's not like the warnings are new - this has been a longstanding call of almost every leading democracy/transparency group in the UK
It's not like the warnings are new - this has been a longstanding call of almost every leading democracy/transparency group in the UK