Josiah Mortimer
@josiah.writes.news
Chief Reporter at UK political outlet Byline Times. I write the 'On the Ground' column in our print edition. Covering democracy, campaigning, and Britain's media.
'Fake news w*nker' - Tommy Robinson
Got a story? Get in touch.
'Fake news w*nker' - Tommy Robinson
Got a story? Get in touch.
Pinned
Josiah Mortimer
@josiah.writes.news
· Jul 19
Sharing this to pin it: For non/new followers, hello!
I'm Josiah. I'm a UK political journalist from Cornwall & based in the South West. I also report regularly from Westminster.
My work focuses on democracy, social movements, & Britain's political system.
Get in touch: linktr.ee/josiahmortimer
I'm Josiah. I'm a UK political journalist from Cornwall & based in the South West. I also report regularly from Westminster.
My work focuses on democracy, social movements, & Britain's political system.
Get in touch: linktr.ee/josiahmortimer
"A confident BBC would admit a mistake and move on without admitting legal liability.
"But we do not have a confident BBC."
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
"But we do not have a confident BBC."
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
A close look at Trump’s $1 billion claim against the BBC
11th November 2025 The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak * The headlines are eye-catching. Other, similar front pages are here. What is going on? And what…
davidallengreen.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:09 PM
"A confident BBC would admit a mistake and move on without admitting legal liability.
"But we do not have a confident BBC."
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
"But we do not have a confident BBC."
davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-cl...
Musician Sam Fender has donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, to support its work securing the future of grassroots venues around the UK.
Fender: “I wouldn’t be doing what I am today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played [at small venues] when I was starting out."
Fender: “I wouldn’t be doing what I am today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played [at small venues] when I was starting out."
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Musician Sam Fender has donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, to support its work securing the future of grassroots venues around the UK.
Fender: “I wouldn’t be doing what I am today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played [at small venues] when I was starting out."
Fender: “I wouldn’t be doing what I am today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played [at small venues] when I was starting out."
This badly needs to happen. The police never seem to enforce the Localism Act which (in theory) makes dodgy/incomplete registers of interest a criminal offence.
I've reported on countless cases of the rules simply being ignored. Time for standards to be enforced.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
I've reported on countless cases of the rules simply being ignored. Time for standards to be enforced.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Councillors in England face suspensions for misconduct as part of government overhaul
Local authorities to be given powers to suspend rule-breaking officials and to withhold allowances
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
This badly needs to happen. The police never seem to enforce the Localism Act which (in theory) makes dodgy/incomplete registers of interest a criminal offence.
I've reported on countless cases of the rules simply being ignored. Time for standards to be enforced.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
I've reported on countless cases of the rules simply being ignored. Time for standards to be enforced.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
Threats of mass deportations ✅
Blatantly racist language ✅
How BNP rhetoric went mainstream
@goldbergradio.bsky.social is joined by @josiah.writes.news
@hardeepmatharu.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Blatantly racist language ✅
How BNP rhetoric went mainstream
@goldbergradio.bsky.social is joined by @josiah.writes.news
@hardeepmatharu.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Byline Podcast: Off Colour: How The BNP's Rhetoric Went Mainstream
Adrian Goldberg discusses how the language of the far right British National Party have been incorporated into mainstream political discussion by members of supposedly mainstream parties. He's join...
podfollow.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Threats of mass deportations ✅
Blatantly racist language ✅
How BNP rhetoric went mainstream
@goldbergradio.bsky.social is joined by @josiah.writes.news
@hardeepmatharu.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Blatantly racist language ✅
How BNP rhetoric went mainstream
@goldbergradio.bsky.social is joined by @josiah.writes.news
@hardeepmatharu.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Politico: "Veteran BBC presenter David Dimbleby told Channel 4 last night that it is “one of the most violent assaults on the BBC’s independence that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” while Playbook is told staff have been voicing “a lot of anger towards [right wing BBC board member] Robbie Gibb.”
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Politico: "Veteran BBC presenter David Dimbleby told Channel 4 last night that it is “one of the most violent assaults on the BBC’s independence that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” while Playbook is told staff have been voicing “a lot of anger towards [right wing BBC board member] Robbie Gibb.”
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
🔴GB News Calls For Trump's America to 'Save Britain’
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK, reports @josiah.writes.news
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/gb-news-ca...
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK, reports @josiah.writes.news
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/gb-news-ca...
GB News Calls For Trump's America to 'Save Britain’
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK, reports Josiah Mortimer
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🔴GB News Calls For Trump's America to 'Save Britain’
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK, reports @josiah.writes.news
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/gb-news-ca...
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK, reports @josiah.writes.news
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/gb-news-ca...
Had a devastating moment recently as someone here said they always thought my pic was Jacob Rees-Mogg when they scrolled past my posts. Ouch.
Thankfully a relative had taken some actually good photos. Hopefully avoids a repeat of that...
Thanks Daryl O'Hagan 📸 www.instagram.com/daryl_ohagan...
Thankfully a relative had taken some actually good photos. Hopefully avoids a repeat of that...
Thanks Daryl O'Hagan 📸 www.instagram.com/daryl_ohagan...
November 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Had a devastating moment recently as someone here said they always thought my pic was Jacob Rees-Mogg when they scrolled past my posts. Ouch.
Thankfully a relative had taken some actually good photos. Hopefully avoids a repeat of that...
Thanks Daryl O'Hagan 📸 www.instagram.com/daryl_ohagan...
Thankfully a relative had taken some actually good photos. Hopefully avoids a repeat of that...
Thanks Daryl O'Hagan 📸 www.instagram.com/daryl_ohagan...
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
Why can't the BBC just be more impartial towards President Trump, like GB News, says Nigel Farage.
GB News:
GB News:
November 10, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Why can't the BBC just be more impartial towards President Trump, like GB News, says Nigel Farage.
GB News:
GB News:
Went on LBC News earlier to discuss the BBC shambles.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Went on LBC News earlier to discuss the BBC shambles.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
No. They have a terminal condition known as Twitter Brain Rot.
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM
No. They have a terminal condition known as Twitter Brain Rot.
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
🔴 The Telegraph’s Record of Climate Falsehoods
The newspaper has been scolding the BBC for its editorial failings, while issuing a string of climate corrections.
📝 @writesbright.bsky.social
The newspaper has been scolding the BBC for its editorial failings, while issuing a string of climate corrections.
📝 @writesbright.bsky.social
The Telegraph’s Record of Climate Falsehoods
The Telegraph, which has accused the BBC of bias and a lack of editorial rigour, has been forced to amend a swathe of climate inaccuracies. The BBC’s director-general and CEO resigned this weekend aft...
www.desmog.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
🔴 The Telegraph’s Record of Climate Falsehoods
The newspaper has been scolding the BBC for its editorial failings, while issuing a string of climate corrections.
📝 @writesbright.bsky.social
The newspaper has been scolding the BBC for its editorial failings, while issuing a string of climate corrections.
📝 @writesbright.bsky.social
My story on GB News in this month's print edition of @bylinetimes.bsky.social is now online:
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK
GB News Calls For Trump's America to 'Save Britain’
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK, reports Josiah Mortimer
substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
My story on GB News in this month's print edition of @bylinetimes.bsky.social is now online:
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK
GB News’ new show broadcast live from the US features non-stop praise for Donald Trump – with the channel’s co-owner begging ‘MAGA’ politicians to save the UK
Three people who’d be expected to be Your Party bigwigs have largely walked away from Corbyn’s project: former NE mayor Jamie Driscoll, former Labour MP Beth Winter, and former ANC MP Andrew Feinstein.
I have some new intel on the fall-out, if you’re interested in that sort of thing… 🧵
I have some new intel on the fall-out, if you’re interested in that sort of thing… 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Three people who’d be expected to be Your Party bigwigs have largely walked away from Corbyn’s project: former NE mayor Jamie Driscoll, former Labour MP Beth Winter, and former ANC MP Andrew Feinstein.
I have some new intel on the fall-out, if you’re interested in that sort of thing… 🧵
I have some new intel on the fall-out, if you’re interested in that sort of thing… 🧵
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
Should Gibb be sacked? yes, obviously. He's an abomination of basic journalistic standards. His GB News channel spreads conspiracy theory & disinformation. His Jewish Chronicle newspaper spreads invented stories. He is plainly trying to undermine the BBC so it's as bad as everything else he touches.
November 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Should Gibb be sacked? yes, obviously. He's an abomination of basic journalistic standards. His GB News channel spreads conspiracy theory & disinformation. His Jewish Chronicle newspaper spreads invented stories. He is plainly trying to undermine the BBC so it's as bad as everything else he touches.
What a day for the Government to reveal this potentially v positive news
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
What a day for the Government to reveal this potentially v positive news
"It is clear that Your Party’s founding conference will not produce the radical party many of us dreamed...
"The party’s founders are rushing to capitalise off of widespread desperation for a left-wing alternative. The result is a founding process full of flaws and fudges." From YP members:
"The party’s founders are rushing to capitalise off of widespread desperation for a left-wing alternative. The result is a founding process full of flaws and fudges." From YP members:
The Strategy of Democratic Socialists (Your Party) | Prometheus
How do we organise around a sortition-based conference? Kieran Glasssmith a founder of the Democratic Socialists (Your Party) offers a plan.
prometheusjournal.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
"It is clear that Your Party’s founding conference will not produce the radical party many of us dreamed...
"The party’s founders are rushing to capitalise off of widespread desperation for a left-wing alternative. The result is a founding process full of flaws and fudges." From YP members:
"The party’s founders are rushing to capitalise off of widespread desperation for a left-wing alternative. The result is a founding process full of flaws and fudges." From YP members:
More racism scandals in Reform? Surely not! www.expressandstar.com/news/politic...
'I regret my choice of words' - Staffordshire Reform councillor apologises for ‘disgusting’ tweets about black women and police
A Reform UK councillor has apologised for his ‘choice of words’ in tweets about black women and the police.
www.expressandstar.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
More racism scandals in Reform? Surely not! www.expressandstar.com/news/politic...
Kent's fire and rescue authority is in chaos following the suspension of nine Reform councillors - the chair AND vice-chair have both been booted from the party.
Joint statement from Cllr Alister Brady and Cllr Vince Maple as Labour group co-leaders on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority:
Joint statement from Cllr Alister Brady and Cllr Vince Maple as Labour group co-leaders on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority:
November 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Kent's fire and rescue authority is in chaos following the suspension of nine Reform councillors - the chair AND vice-chair have both been booted from the party.
Joint statement from Cllr Alister Brady and Cllr Vince Maple as Labour group co-leaders on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority:
Joint statement from Cllr Alister Brady and Cllr Vince Maple as Labour group co-leaders on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority:
Press Gazette: "No one today has mentioned the BBC’s disastrous indecision and refusal to air the brilliant Gaza: Doctors Under Attack documentary as among the mistakes leading up to this crisis." Channel 4 eventually aired it and it's already won awards.
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Press Gazette: "No one today has mentioned the BBC’s disastrous indecision and refusal to air the brilliant Gaza: Doctors Under Attack documentary as among the mistakes leading up to this crisis." Channel 4 eventually aired it and it's already won awards.
"When Boris Johnson was Prime Minister one of his senior advisers confided to me that one of the only things in politics his boss actually cared about was “killing off the BBC”.
"Five years on, and it is a campaign that appears to be finally coming to fruition."
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/10/t...
"Five years on, and it is a campaign that appears to be finally coming to fruition."
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/10/t...
The BBC’s Attempts to Appease the 'Right-Wing Coup' Against It Are Now Seeding Its Own Destruction
By attempting to appease those forces seeking to destroy them, the BBC has helped trigger a crisis that now threatens its very future, argues Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 PM
"When Boris Johnson was Prime Minister one of his senior advisers confided to me that one of the only things in politics his boss actually cared about was “killing off the BBC”.
"Five years on, and it is a campaign that appears to be finally coming to fruition."
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/10/t...
"Five years on, and it is a campaign that appears to be finally coming to fruition."
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/10/t...
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
This meme has *never* been more apt than in this moment.
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
This meme has *never* been more apt than in this moment.
Reposted by Josiah Mortimer
Incredible that Robbie Gibb - most influential person on BBC board by many accounts and from journalists I speak in BBC - was involved in setting up GB News.
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Enforced veganism’: Ofcom lets GB News flout accuracy rules, say climate campaigners
Exclusive: Regulator has received 1,221 complaints about UK broadcasters since 2020 but found no breaches of its code
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Incredible that Robbie Gibb - most influential person on BBC board by many accounts and from journalists I speak in BBC - was involved in setting up GB News.
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Eek. The Fire Brigades Union has slammed the record of Reform’s ‘flagship council’ as it emerged that Kent and Medway Fire Authority is in disarray following the removal of five councillors, including its chair and vice chair.
5 of the 9 Reform cllrs suspended since May sat on the fire authority...
5 of the 9 Reform cllrs suspended since May sat on the fire authority...
November 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Eek. The Fire Brigades Union has slammed the record of Reform’s ‘flagship council’ as it emerged that Kent and Medway Fire Authority is in disarray following the removal of five councillors, including its chair and vice chair.
5 of the 9 Reform cllrs suspended since May sat on the fire authority...
5 of the 9 Reform cllrs suspended since May sat on the fire authority...
The Lib Dems have told supporters "we are the only party with the conviction to stand up and fight for what we believe in" by still backing proportional representation, "not because it benefits us, but because we think it’s right"
"We must not, and will not, give up the fight for electoral reform."
"We must not, and will not, give up the fight for electoral reform."
November 10, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The Lib Dems have told supporters "we are the only party with the conviction to stand up and fight for what we believe in" by still backing proportional representation, "not because it benefits us, but because we think it’s right"
"We must not, and will not, give up the fight for electoral reform."
"We must not, and will not, give up the fight for electoral reform."