Kathy O'Donnell
@kathyodonnell.bsky.social
Journalist, parent to two grown-ups, LGBT+ rights campaigner, trustee Equality Network, former night editor of The Times, Scotland. Lives in France. [she/her]
Here's to my great uncle Norman. Survivor of Third Ypres or Passchendaele as we call nowadays.
He was a sweet and gentle man who I remember with great affection.
He didn't talk about the war and his trauma because he simply couldn't.
He was a sweet and gentle man who I remember with great affection.
He didn't talk about the war and his trauma because he simply couldn't.
November 11, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Here's to my great uncle Norman. Survivor of Third Ypres or Passchendaele as we call nowadays.
He was a sweet and gentle man who I remember with great affection.
He didn't talk about the war and his trauma because he simply couldn't.
He was a sweet and gentle man who I remember with great affection.
He didn't talk about the war and his trauma because he simply couldn't.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
This is a brilliant, heartbreaking piece of writing.
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
This is a brilliant, heartbreaking piece of writing.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The BBC is in crisis in the same way that GB News would be if you put Owen Jones on the board armed with a veto and plenty of coffee.
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The BBC is in crisis in the same way that GB News would be if you put Owen Jones on the board armed with a veto and plenty of coffee.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
🔴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/2025/11/10/t...
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/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 11, 2025 at 9:18 AM
🔴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/2025/11/10/t...
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/2025/11/10/t...
whatthetrans.com/trans-allies...
The narrative put forward by Maitliss is the one you're likely to have heard.
But that isn't what really happened.
The kids lost their care. Some took their own lives. Nobody was 'saved'.
There is no 'trans ideology', just people who needed help.
The narrative put forward by Maitliss is the one you're likely to have heard.
But that isn't what really happened.
The kids lost their care. Some took their own lives. Nobody was 'saved'.
There is no 'trans ideology', just people who needed help.
Trans Allies Systematically Intimidated Inside Tavistock – What The Trans!?
whatthetrans.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:29 AM
whatthetrans.com/trans-allies...
The narrative put forward by Maitliss is the one you're likely to have heard.
But that isn't what really happened.
The kids lost their care. Some took their own lives. Nobody was 'saved'.
There is no 'trans ideology', just people who needed help.
The narrative put forward by Maitliss is the one you're likely to have heard.
But that isn't what really happened.
The kids lost their care. Some took their own lives. Nobody was 'saved'.
There is no 'trans ideology', just people who needed help.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Remember, when journalists just let trans people live their lives in peace, it’s “ideological capture”, but when they use their own personal anti-trans beliefs to lead a campaign to close down the only place in the country trans youth received healthcare, it’s absolutely fine, nothing to see here.
Emily Maitlis admitting she worked at the bbc to try and get healthcare for trans people shut down
November 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Remember, when journalists just let trans people live their lives in peace, it’s “ideological capture”, but when they use their own personal anti-trans beliefs to lead a campaign to close down the only place in the country trans youth received healthcare, it’s absolutely fine, nothing to see here.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
iirc 1 trans woman has qualified for the Olympics in over 20 years and she came last
Olympics organisers moving towards blanket ban on transgender women from women's sport
Olympics organisers moving towards blanket ban on transgender women from women's sport
The International Olympic Committee is moving towards a blanket ban on transgender women from women's sport, Sky News understands.
news.sky.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
iirc 1 trans woman has qualified for the Olympics in over 20 years and she came last
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The chaos in the BBC is yet more proof that the pillars of the 20th century are collapsing in the 21st century. From the two-party system to the national broadcaster, the old certainties are falling apart. The decline has far to go. Is democracy itself next?
My column in @heraldscotland.bsky.social
My column in @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Crisis-hit BBC is just another casualty of the collapse of the 20th century rulebook
Like the Tory-Labour duopoly and the NHS, the BBC is a hangover from an age that’s dying. We must find how to make the media relevant again,…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The chaos in the BBC is yet more proof that the pillars of the 20th century are collapsing in the 21st century. From the two-party system to the national broadcaster, the old certainties are falling apart. The decline has far to go. Is democracy itself next?
My column in @heraldscotland.bsky.social
My column in @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
I don't often call for resignations. But Sir Robbie Gibb's role in the BBC boardroom coup makes his continued role there untenable. He must resign or be removed
‘Gibb’s supporters say he is trying to save the BBC from itself; he was also heard last year to say that if he didn’t get his way, he would “blow the place up”.’
“a group of politically-appointed directors has forced the hand of Samir Shah,the chair, and the departure of the two most senior people in the organisation. Their resignations should be called out for what they are: political interference..”1/
November 10, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I don't often call for resignations. But Sir Robbie Gibb's role in the BBC boardroom coup makes his continued role there untenable. He must resign or be removed
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
So I made this video 4 years ago - and somehow things have got worse since then… youtu.be/bJnT2yL66Kw?...
Interview for a senior role at BBC News
YouTube video by Matt Green Comedy
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
So I made this video 4 years ago - and somehow things have got worse since then… youtu.be/bJnT2yL66Kw?...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
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/...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
For reference - Here’s the Telegraph article with the Prescott memo complaining about the BBC published in FULL.
Obviously, it’s an archived link which circumvents their paywall - as there’s no way I’m gonna give that transphobic rag any clicks or coin! 😣
👉 archive.ph/mJIsB
Obviously, it’s an archived link which circumvents their paywall - as there’s no way I’m gonna give that transphobic rag any clicks or coin! 😣
👉 archive.ph/mJIsB
November 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
For reference - Here’s the Telegraph article with the Prescott memo complaining about the BBC published in FULL.
Obviously, it’s an archived link which circumvents their paywall - as there’s no way I’m gonna give that transphobic rag any clicks or coin! 😣
👉 archive.ph/mJIsB
Obviously, it’s an archived link which circumvents their paywall - as there’s no way I’m gonna give that transphobic rag any clicks or coin! 😣
👉 archive.ph/mJIsB
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
The idea the PM and SoS don't influence the appointment of the DG is laughable not least when the PM is tanking and needs a compliant state broadcaster more than ever (I managed the CMS Selcom so pls don't tell me that's Not How It Works either)
Seeing so many posts about who “Starmer and Nandy” will appoint as director general. Easy mistake but the government does not appoint the director general! The BBC board, whose members are appointed for rolling terms by the culture secretary, appoints the director general.
November 9, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The idea the PM and SoS don't influence the appointment of the DG is laughable not least when the PM is tanking and needs a compliant state broadcaster more than ever (I managed the CMS Selcom so pls don't tell me that's Not How It Works either)
www.bbc.com/news/live/cd...
Neither is any loss and particularly to BBC News, where the influence of Robbie Gibb has been catastrophic, destroying its journalistic reputation.
The chances of whomever succeeds them not also being right-wingers and continuing the destruction is minimal.
Neither is any loss and particularly to BBC News, where the influence of Robbie Gibb has been catastrophic, destroying its journalistic reputation.
The chances of whomever succeeds them not also being right-wingers and continuing the destruction is minimal.
BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
Davie says
www.bbc.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
www.bbc.com/news/live/cd...
Neither is any loss and particularly to BBC News, where the influence of Robbie Gibb has been catastrophic, destroying its journalistic reputation.
The chances of whomever succeeds them not also being right-wingers and continuing the destruction is minimal.
Neither is any loss and particularly to BBC News, where the influence of Robbie Gibb has been catastrophic, destroying its journalistic reputation.
The chances of whomever succeeds them not also being right-wingers and continuing the destruction is minimal.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
All these gender critical “feminists” shilling for rightwing papers who would take away women’s rights in an *instant* and never admitting the contradiction. If your feminism requires you to be on the same side as Trump, Vance, Putin, Farage, the Mail, the Telegraph, then mayyyyyyyybbbbbeeee….
November 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
All these gender critical “feminists” shilling for rightwing papers who would take away women’s rights in an *instant* and never admitting the contradiction. If your feminism requires you to be on the same side as Trump, Vance, Putin, Farage, the Mail, the Telegraph, then mayyyyyyyybbbbbeeee….
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Would recommend this interview Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s biographer Andrew Lownie gave to @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on how power and secrecy work in modern Britain.
Particularly interesting on the censoring of history and how the Prince was championed by Peter Mandelson and Tony Blair...
Particularly interesting on the censoring of history and how the Prince was championed by Peter Mandelson and Tony Blair...
Inside the Cover-up: How Prince Andrew was exposed
Behind the headlines lies a deeper story of privilege, protection and a public kept in the dark
democracyforsale.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Would recommend this interview Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s biographer Andrew Lownie gave to @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on how power and secrecy work in modern Britain.
Particularly interesting on the censoring of history and how the Prince was championed by Peter Mandelson and Tony Blair...
Particularly interesting on the censoring of history and how the Prince was championed by Peter Mandelson and Tony Blair...
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
‘So many young people are seeing violent and extreme pornography. Our boys risk harming their sexual partners, mistakenly believing this is what they should be doing’
I talk to Scotland’s best known school counsellor about what she hears in the therapy room
Warning: distressing and graphic content
I talk to Scotland’s best known school counsellor about what she hears in the therapy room
Warning: distressing and graphic content
How extreme pornography is destroying lives in Scotland's schools
Frances McKendrick is a psychotherapist in Scottish schools. As she brings out a novel based on her experiences, she talks to our Writer at Large…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 AM
‘So many young people are seeing violent and extreme pornography. Our boys risk harming their sexual partners, mistakenly believing this is what they should be doing’
I talk to Scotland’s best known school counsellor about what she hears in the therapy room
Warning: distressing and graphic content
I talk to Scotland’s best known school counsellor about what she hears in the therapy room
Warning: distressing and graphic content
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Folk apparently found helpful my exposition of what I have been calling the ‘Hansard Gap’ in the For Women Scotland judgment. At the suggestion of a correspondent, I am going to set out the myriad other difficulties with this judgment one by one over coming weeks.
November 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Folk apparently found helpful my exposition of what I have been calling the ‘Hansard Gap’ in the For Women Scotland judgment. At the suggestion of a correspondent, I am going to set out the myriad other difficulties with this judgment one by one over coming weeks.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Kind of familiar.
Isn't it.
Isn't it.
November 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Kind of familiar.
Isn't it.
Isn't it.
When I saw this I thought it was an Onion-style gag riffing on the awfulness of the spineless and power-pleasing New York Times of recent years. I mean, "conservative feminism". That's so ludicrous that I laughed and scrolled on.
But, of course, it is real and the NYT is utterly undone.
But, of course, it is real and the NYT is utterly undone.
November 9, 2025 at 8:53 AM
When I saw this I thought it was an Onion-style gag riffing on the awfulness of the spineless and power-pleasing New York Times of recent years. I mean, "conservative feminism". That's so ludicrous that I laughed and scrolled on.
But, of course, it is real and the NYT is utterly undone.
But, of course, it is real and the NYT is utterly undone.
pca.st/episode/e480...
A really sweet one for all musicians and Bowie people. Carlos Alomar talking George Murray and Dennis Davis and how to generate the funk.
A really sweet one for all musicians and Bowie people. Carlos Alomar talking George Murray and Dennis Davis and how to generate the funk.
Carlos Alomar on the DAM Trio
pca.st
November 9, 2025 at 6:57 AM
pca.st/episode/e480...
A really sweet one for all musicians and Bowie people. Carlos Alomar talking George Murray and Dennis Davis and how to generate the funk.
A really sweet one for all musicians and Bowie people. Carlos Alomar talking George Murray and Dennis Davis and how to generate the funk.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
📃 We have instructed a team of barristers and are in continued correspondence with Ofcom, seeking answers.
⚖️ If those answers are unsatisfactory, we intend to challenge Ofcom’s decision to whitewash TalkTV’s transphobia in court.
https://goodlaw.social/4wvh
⚖️ If those answers are unsatisfactory, we intend to challenge Ofcom’s decision to whitewash TalkTV’s transphobia in court.
https://goodlaw.social/4wvh
Ofcom won’t investigate TalkTV’s transphobia – we’re taking a stand | Good Law Project
Ofcom dismissed more than 20,000 complaints, but this isn’t finished.
goodlaw.social
November 8, 2025 at 2:52 PM
📃 We have instructed a team of barristers and are in continued correspondence with Ofcom, seeking answers.
⚖️ If those answers are unsatisfactory, we intend to challenge Ofcom’s decision to whitewash TalkTV’s transphobia in court.
https://goodlaw.social/4wvh
⚖️ If those answers are unsatisfactory, we intend to challenge Ofcom’s decision to whitewash TalkTV’s transphobia in court.
https://goodlaw.social/4wvh
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Thinking about the man yesterday who pulled his van over to shout at us and was yelling at me with his whole chest that I should be ashamed of myself, and darling I grew up gay under section 28. I have been more ashamed of myself than you could ever know.
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Thinking about the man yesterday who pulled his van over to shout at us and was yelling at me with his whole chest that I should be ashamed of myself, and darling I grew up gay under section 28. I have been more ashamed of myself than you could ever know.
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
As coroners continue to issue PFD reports citing delays in accessing gender affirming care as contributing to the preventable deaths of trans people, our government forcibly chooses to detransition trans youth.
What’s happening in Brighton is unconscionable. It puts children in danger.
Meanwhile…
What’s happening in Brighton is unconscionable. It puts children in danger.
Meanwhile…
Please read this statement by Anne Health.
Trans children are being subjected by Sussex NHS to the physical torture of being forcibly detransitioned.
This is unnecessary cruelty and in my view constitutes torture, violence and child abuse on the part of NHS Sussex.
Trans children are being subjected by Sussex NHS to the physical torture of being forcibly detransitioned.
This is unnecessary cruelty and in my view constitutes torture, violence and child abuse on the part of NHS Sussex.
Anne Health response: NHS Sussex Investigation into WellBN GP Practice - Anne Healthcare
We are deeply concerned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated Code of Practice which has been sent to Secretary of State, Bridget Philipson, this week.While presented as clarification,...
anne.health
November 8, 2025 at 11:54 AM
As coroners continue to issue PFD reports citing delays in accessing gender affirming care as contributing to the preventable deaths of trans people, our government forcibly chooses to detransition trans youth.
What’s happening in Brighton is unconscionable. It puts children in danger.
Meanwhile…
What’s happening in Brighton is unconscionable. It puts children in danger.
Meanwhile…
Reposted by Kathy O'Donnell
Following media reports? You mean by Byline Times? I know we cause you some grief BBCNews by criticising the role of Robbie Gibb - but credit where credit is due
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Councillor apologises for Facebook post and resigns from party
Councillor Pauline Giles apologises for comments on Facebook backing a petition for mass deportations.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Following media reports? You mean by Byline Times? I know we cause you some grief BBCNews by criticising the role of Robbie Gibb - but credit where credit is due
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...