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.
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...
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:
BREAKING: Councillor Pauline Giles, who @bylinetimes.bsky.social revealed had condemned "young black males" supposedly "flooding" Britain, has just resigned from the Conservative party
Follows more Qs from us to CCHQ today, and local media follow-up
Follows more Qs from us to CCHQ today, and local media follow-up
November 6, 2025 at 8:59 PM
BREAKING: Councillor Pauline Giles, who @bylinetimes.bsky.social revealed had condemned "young black males" supposedly "flooding" Britain, has just resigned from the Conservative party
Follows more Qs from us to CCHQ today, and local media follow-up
Follows more Qs from us to CCHQ today, and local media follow-up
Hang on. In reporting, Cllr Kemp is described as a Reform UK staffer (now ex-staffer). As her LinkedIn seems to attest.
So why hasn't she declared it on her register of interests?
It is a legal duty under the Localism Act. Failing to declare relevant financial interests is a criminal offence.
So why hasn't she declared it on her register of interests?
It is a legal duty under the Localism Act. Failing to declare relevant financial interests is a criminal offence.
![I Isabella Kemp being a Member of Kent County Council (KCC) (and if appropriate have been appointed by KCC to serve on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority ( KMFRA)) have the following interests which I am required by law, as reflected in the KCC and KMFRA Codes of Conduct, to register:
1. Part A: Employment - 1. Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain
You Husband/wife/civil partner or a person with whom you are living as husband or wife or as if you
KCC member -
Sheerness Town Councillor -
2. Part B: Sponsorship - Any payment or provision of any other financial benefit (other than from the Kent County Council or the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority) made or provided within the relevant period[1] in respect of any expenses incurred by you in carrying out duties as a Member, or towards your election expenses. This includes any payment or financial benefit from a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
You Husband/wife/civil partner or a person with whom you are living as husband or wife or as if you
None None](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6laekojw3whqu64tlaxopvgx/bafkreibh5svv6qhrputveks5qgzrujnvsfkwtgerauhvigol2hskgoox2u@jpeg)
November 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Hang on. In reporting, Cllr Kemp is described as a Reform UK staffer (now ex-staffer). As her LinkedIn seems to attest.
So why hasn't she declared it on her register of interests?
It is a legal duty under the Localism Act. Failing to declare relevant financial interests is a criminal offence.
So why hasn't she declared it on her register of interests?
It is a legal duty under the Localism Act. Failing to declare relevant financial interests is a criminal offence.
Deleted a funny Gov Newsom post as alas, it was from a fan account rather than the real deal.
Reposting for posterity, with the caveat up top:
Reposting for posterity, with the caveat up top:
November 5, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Deleted a funny Gov Newsom post as alas, it was from a fan account rather than the real deal.
Reposting for posterity, with the caveat up top:
Reposting for posterity, with the caveat up top:
Thanks to Politico for the shout out - covering two @bylinetimes.bsky.social scoops on racist comments by senior councillors in recent days
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Thanks to Politico for the shout out - covering two @bylinetimes.bsky.social scoops on racist comments by senior councillors in recent days
Trump-boosting Tory peer Ross Kempsell really is the Lord for Mar-a-Lago isn't he?
"What assessment have [Govt] made of the risk of extreme left-wing terrorism in the UK, including Antifa and related groups?"
Govt: "[Left-wing terrorism] is not currently present in the UK at any significant scale"
"What assessment have [Govt] made of the risk of extreme left-wing terrorism in the UK, including Antifa and related groups?"
Govt: "[Left-wing terrorism] is not currently present in the UK at any significant scale"
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Trump-boosting Tory peer Ross Kempsell really is the Lord for Mar-a-Lago isn't he?
"What assessment have [Govt] made of the risk of extreme left-wing terrorism in the UK, including Antifa and related groups?"
Govt: "[Left-wing terrorism] is not currently present in the UK at any significant scale"
"What assessment have [Govt] made of the risk of extreme left-wing terrorism in the UK, including Antifa and related groups?"
Govt: "[Left-wing terrorism] is not currently present in the UK at any significant scale"
Interesting dilemma for the Attorney General, raised by Defend Our Juries:
"The AG makes the ultimate decision about whether or not to approve each & every one of these highly controversial charges" against Palestine Action protesters.
AG Richard Hermer KC made his name defending human rights laws
"The AG makes the ultimate decision about whether or not to approve each & every one of these highly controversial charges" against Palestine Action protesters.
AG Richard Hermer KC made his name defending human rights laws
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Interesting dilemma for the Attorney General, raised by Defend Our Juries:
"The AG makes the ultimate decision about whether or not to approve each & every one of these highly controversial charges" against Palestine Action protesters.
AG Richard Hermer KC made his name defending human rights laws
"The AG makes the ultimate decision about whether or not to approve each & every one of these highly controversial charges" against Palestine Action protesters.
AG Richard Hermer KC made his name defending human rights laws
More info
Also: "This week we will begin the process of sortition, selecting delegates by lottery to attend our conference in person. This will be held in Liverpool on 29-30 November
"We're working in partnership with the independent Sortition Foundation" to make it representative of the country
Also: "This week we will begin the process of sortition, selecting delegates by lottery to attend our conference in person. This will be held in Liverpool on 29-30 November
"We're working in partnership with the independent Sortition Foundation" to make it representative of the country
November 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
More info
Also: "This week we will begin the process of sortition, selecting delegates by lottery to attend our conference in person. This will be held in Liverpool on 29-30 November
"We're working in partnership with the independent Sortition Foundation" to make it representative of the country
Also: "This week we will begin the process of sortition, selecting delegates by lottery to attend our conference in person. This will be held in Liverpool on 29-30 November
"We're working in partnership with the independent Sortition Foundation" to make it representative of the country
Not a single member of the Socialist Campaign Group has a position in the Labour Govt
But MPs backed by the right-leaning Labour to Win faction are *hugely* represented
This is IMO a big part of the issue with PM Starmer's Government. It has a v narrow ideological range. No 10's tent is very small
But MPs backed by the right-leaning Labour to Win faction are *hugely* represented
This is IMO a big part of the issue with PM Starmer's Government. It has a v narrow ideological range. No 10's tent is very small
November 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Not a single member of the Socialist Campaign Group has a position in the Labour Govt
But MPs backed by the right-leaning Labour to Win faction are *hugely* represented
This is IMO a big part of the issue with PM Starmer's Government. It has a v narrow ideological range. No 10's tent is very small
But MPs backed by the right-leaning Labour to Win faction are *hugely* represented
This is IMO a big part of the issue with PM Starmer's Government. It has a v narrow ideological range. No 10's tent is very small
UPDATE: Family demands UK acts as British journalist Sami Hamdi "suffers health emergency" in US ICE detention
Hamdi was arrested by ICE a week ago over his Gaza activism, his family says.
"We [are] deeply concerned that his continued detention is damaging his health."
(Photo: Soumaya Hamdi)
Hamdi was arrested by ICE a week ago over his Gaza activism, his family says.
"We [are] deeply concerned that his continued detention is damaging his health."
(Photo: Soumaya Hamdi)
November 3, 2025 at 10:07 AM
UPDATE: Family demands UK acts as British journalist Sami Hamdi "suffers health emergency" in US ICE detention
Hamdi was arrested by ICE a week ago over his Gaza activism, his family says.
"We [are] deeply concerned that his continued detention is damaging his health."
(Photo: Soumaya Hamdi)
Hamdi was arrested by ICE a week ago over his Gaza activism, his family says.
"We [are] deeply concerned that his continued detention is damaging his health."
(Photo: Soumaya Hamdi)
A 'Media Liberation Day' is being planned for November 5th...
The message: “Billionaire Opinion is Not News”
Activists will place an A4 'cover page' over newspaper front pages – especially 'billionaire-owned press' – in shops and newsagents.
The fake front page asks: “Who Paid for These Stories?”
The message: “Billionaire Opinion is Not News”
Activists will place an A4 'cover page' over newspaper front pages – especially 'billionaire-owned press' – in shops and newsagents.
The fake front page asks: “Who Paid for These Stories?”
October 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
A 'Media Liberation Day' is being planned for November 5th...
The message: “Billionaire Opinion is Not News”
Activists will place an A4 'cover page' over newspaper front pages – especially 'billionaire-owned press' – in shops and newsagents.
The fake front page asks: “Who Paid for These Stories?”
The message: “Billionaire Opinion is Not News”
Activists will place an A4 'cover page' over newspaper front pages – especially 'billionaire-owned press' – in shops and newsagents.
The fake front page asks: “Who Paid for These Stories?”
And today The Sun have roped in Nigel Farage to back their massively self-serving campaign against higher taxes on gambling
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 AM
And today The Sun have roped in Nigel Farage to back their massively self-serving campaign against higher taxes on gambling
Translated from the Express: "Our remaining readers must be given special treatment in the budget, while all non-OAP welfare should be cut."
October 29, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Translated from the Express: "Our remaining readers must be given special treatment in the budget, while all non-OAP welfare should be cut."
The Sun's "editor at large" seems to be a flop in the US so far.
Getting just a few hundred views on vids from your highly-publicised, highly-paid mouthpiece is not ideal for Murdoch and co...
Via the new Private Eye:
Getting just a few hundred views on vids from your highly-publicised, highly-paid mouthpiece is not ideal for Murdoch and co...
Via the new Private Eye:
October 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The Sun's "editor at large" seems to be a flop in the US so far.
Getting just a few hundred views on vids from your highly-publicised, highly-paid mouthpiece is not ideal for Murdoch and co...
Via the new Private Eye:
Getting just a few hundred views on vids from your highly-publicised, highly-paid mouthpiece is not ideal for Murdoch and co...
Via the new Private Eye:
Friends of the Earth's (pretty positive) snap reaction to the Government's new carbon budget / net zero plan:
October 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Friends of the Earth's (pretty positive) snap reaction to the Government's new carbon budget / net zero plan:
Skeptic editor Marshall's segment on Reform UK while handing them (from afar) the Rusty Razor award for misinformation:
October 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Skeptic editor Marshall's segment on Reform UK while handing them (from afar) the Rusty Razor award for misinformation:
Here's part of Skeptic editor Michael Marshall's speech at the QED conference on Saturday, where he discussed others who were on the shortlist for the 'Rusty Razor' misinformation / conspiracy theory award.
It's pretty cutting (fittingly) on Toby Young's Free Speech Union...
It's pretty cutting (fittingly) on Toby Young's Free Speech Union...
October 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Here's part of Skeptic editor Michael Marshall's speech at the QED conference on Saturday, where he discussed others who were on the shortlist for the 'Rusty Razor' misinformation / conspiracy theory award.
It's pretty cutting (fittingly) on Toby Young's Free Speech Union...
It's pretty cutting (fittingly) on Toby Young's Free Speech Union...
Former NYC mayor Bill de Blasio on the Times' now-deleted story against Zohran Mamdani.
The Times, our supposed newspaper of record, was duped by an impersonator, it seems.
The Times, our supposed newspaper of record, was duped by an impersonator, it seems.
October 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Former NYC mayor Bill de Blasio on the Times' now-deleted story against Zohran Mamdani.
The Times, our supposed newspaper of record, was duped by an impersonator, it seems.
The Times, our supposed newspaper of record, was duped by an impersonator, it seems.
Good news corner: some ace transport upgrades in London over the past year via TfL:
"The schemes have used £81m of TfL’s Local Implementation Plan funding to support borough-led projects that enhance walking/cycling infrastructure, reduce road danger, improve air quality, & encourage active travel"
"The schemes have used £81m of TfL’s Local Implementation Plan funding to support borough-led projects that enhance walking/cycling infrastructure, reduce road danger, improve air quality, & encourage active travel"
October 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Good news corner: some ace transport upgrades in London over the past year via TfL:
"The schemes have used £81m of TfL’s Local Implementation Plan funding to support borough-led projects that enhance walking/cycling infrastructure, reduce road danger, improve air quality, & encourage active travel"
"The schemes have used £81m of TfL’s Local Implementation Plan funding to support borough-led projects that enhance walking/cycling infrastructure, reduce road danger, improve air quality, & encourage active travel"
Interesting exchange between Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and the Prime Minister, on Russian interference re. Reform UK at PMQs just now
![Lib Dem leader Ed Davey: “Mr. Speaker, across Europe, in countries like Poland, Germany and France, we've seen evidence of dangerous Russian interference in their politics.
“Last month, the former leader of a major party [Reform] in Wales pleaded guilty to taking bribes to make pro Russian statements. The evidence shows Nathan Gill was a close confidante of the current Reform Party leader for years.
“So does the Prime Minister agree with me that it’s time we had an in depth investigation into Russian meddling and money in British politics?”
PM Starmer: “On this question of Russian interference, it is a serious issue for countries across Europe, including in our country, where it's a constant threat.
“Mr. Speaker, for NATO allies, the conflict in Ukraine and dealing with Russian aggression is the number one issue, and that is why I have to say the Reform Party would be an absolute disaster for our defence. We are a trusted member of NATO. We wouldn't be a trusted member if we were Putin friendly.
“We are leading the coalition of the willing, giving security and comfort to 30 other countries that will collapse under Reform, because they're Putin friendly, and [would] be a real threat to our defence and our security.”
[Doesn’t explicitly agree to investigation into Russian interference in UK politics]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6laekojw3whqu64tlaxopvgx/bafkreihpcqrrdjmioqi5n2yah5wxwxx2lkiy6mov7fv2x6ntqgxx7hb3pq@jpeg)
October 29, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Interesting exchange between Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and the Prime Minister, on Russian interference re. Reform UK at PMQs just now
The PM just said at PMQs: "The UK is backed as a leading and trusted member of NATO - a timely reminder for the Green Party, whose policy is to take us out."
Appreciate Zack Polanski has made comments backing leaving, but the Greens' official policy is actually this: "We would work within NATO."
Appreciate Zack Polanski has made comments backing leaving, but the Greens' official policy is actually this: "We would work within NATO."
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The PM just said at PMQs: "The UK is backed as a leading and trusted member of NATO - a timely reminder for the Green Party, whose policy is to take us out."
Appreciate Zack Polanski has made comments backing leaving, but the Greens' official policy is actually this: "We would work within NATO."
Appreciate Zack Polanski has made comments backing leaving, but the Greens' official policy is actually this: "We would work within NATO."
Here you go www.instagram.com/p/DQWceqziGz_/
October 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Here you go www.instagram.com/p/DQWceqziGz_/
Probably worth saying that gambling firms prop up The Sun through millions £ in advertising and referral deals.
For some reason they don't point that conflict of interest out on their front page story against gambling taxes today (save for a promo note that it "includes Sun Bingo and Sun Vegas")
For some reason they don't point that conflict of interest out on their front page story against gambling taxes today (save for a promo note that it "includes Sun Bingo and Sun Vegas")
October 29, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Probably worth saying that gambling firms prop up The Sun through millions £ in advertising and referral deals.
For some reason they don't point that conflict of interest out on their front page story against gambling taxes today (save for a promo note that it "includes Sun Bingo and Sun Vegas")
For some reason they don't point that conflict of interest out on their front page story against gambling taxes today (save for a promo note that it "includes Sun Bingo and Sun Vegas")