Lizzie Dearden
@lizziedearden.bsky.social
Contributing reporter to the New York Times in London, author of 'Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed'
Website: https://www.lizziedearden.com/
Website: https://www.lizziedearden.com/
Because of debate over Liberal Democrat record on PCCs in parliament, here is a comparison of their 2010 election manifesto vs the Conservatives
Lib Dems promised "direct election of police authorities", Tories promised "a directly-elected individual"
Lib Dems promised "direct election of police authorities", Tories promised "a directly-elected individual"
November 13, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Because of debate over Liberal Democrat record on PCCs in parliament, here is a comparison of their 2010 election manifesto vs the Conservatives
Lib Dems promised "direct election of police authorities", Tories promised "a directly-elected individual"
Lib Dems promised "direct election of police authorities", Tories promised "a directly-elected individual"
The answer is likely to be in the delayed Police Reform White Paper - minister Sarah Jones said would come out "this year" but gave no specific timing
For recent criticism of the structure, see the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary annual report hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication-...
For recent criticism of the structure, see the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary annual report hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication-...
November 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
The answer is likely to be in the delayed Police Reform White Paper - minister Sarah Jones said would come out "this year" but gave no specific timing
For recent criticism of the structure, see the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary annual report hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication-...
For recent criticism of the structure, see the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary annual report hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication-...
A bonus snippet for those interested in the policing of protest and government trends towards greater police powers and more punitive restrictions:
"[There is] an apparent disconnect between prominent media calls for harsh punishment of disruptive protests and broader public sentiment."
"[There is] an apparent disconnect between prominent media calls for harsh punishment of disruptive protests and broader public sentiment."
November 11, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A bonus snippet for those interested in the policing of protest and government trends towards greater police powers and more punitive restrictions:
"[There is] an apparent disconnect between prominent media calls for harsh punishment of disruptive protests and broader public sentiment."
"[There is] an apparent disconnect between prominent media calls for harsh punishment of disruptive protests and broader public sentiment."
Here is the speech in full: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/n...
November 5, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Here is the speech in full: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/n...
Firstly, Whittaker was not charged with terror offences. A judge will be able to decide whether his offending had a "terrorist connection" on sentencing but the charges were under a Victorian law that does not require any ideological mindset
That makes any related evidence less of a focus at trial
That makes any related evidence less of a focus at trial
October 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Firstly, Whittaker was not charged with terror offences. A judge will be able to decide whether his offending had a "terrorist connection" on sentencing but the charges were under a Victorian law that does not require any ideological mindset
That makes any related evidence less of a focus at trial
That makes any related evidence less of a focus at trial
Bad headlines on yesterday's Home Affairs Committee report focused on the billions "squandered" on asylum hotels, but the report also contained this very stark warning
It also noted that large sites "can attract considerably more public attention and concern than smaller sites"
It also noted that large sites "can attract considerably more public attention and concern than smaller sites"
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Bad headlines on yesterday's Home Affairs Committee report focused on the billions "squandered" on asylum hotels, but the report also contained this very stark warning
It also noted that large sites "can attract considerably more public attention and concern than smaller sites"
It also noted that large sites "can attract considerably more public attention and concern than smaller sites"
A March 2024 report by the National Audit Office said that costs to convert military bases had been underestimated by tens of millions, and that housing asylum seekers at large sites was significantly more expensive than using hotels
The Home Office says lessons have been learned
The Home Office says lessons have been learned
October 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A March 2024 report by the National Audit Office said that costs to convert military bases had been underestimated by tens of millions, and that housing asylum seekers at large sites was significantly more expensive than using hotels
The Home Office says lessons have been learned
The Home Office says lessons have been learned
Very interesting analysis of pro-Reform Facebook activity around the Caerphilly by-election by Nation.Cymru
As the article says, "bots can't vote", but they can try to shape the talking points of local voters
nation.cymru/opinion/refo...
As the article says, "bots can't vote", but they can try to shape the talking points of local voters
nation.cymru/opinion/refo...
October 26, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Very interesting analysis of pro-Reform Facebook activity around the Caerphilly by-election by Nation.Cymru
As the article says, "bots can't vote", but they can try to shape the talking points of local voters
nation.cymru/opinion/refo...
As the article says, "bots can't vote", but they can try to shape the talking points of local voters
nation.cymru/opinion/refo...
I'll be on BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend programme at 1pm tomorrow talking about hostile state threats and the unlikely gang of Russian saboteurs jailed yesterday
Tune in at 1pm on Sunday or listen here afterwards www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Tune in at 1pm on Sunday or listen here afterwards www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
October 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I'll be on BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend programme at 1pm tomorrow talking about hostile state threats and the unlikely gang of Russian saboteurs jailed yesterday
Tune in at 1pm on Sunday or listen here afterwards www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Tune in at 1pm on Sunday or listen here afterwards www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru have a long-established presence and detailed policy platform, but much of their Caerphilly campaigning urged people to tactically vote against Reform because Labour "can't win"
Turnout was up on the previous Welsh Parliament election
Turnout was up on the previous Welsh Parliament election
October 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru have a long-established presence and detailed policy platform, but much of their Caerphilly campaigning urged people to tactically vote against Reform because Labour "can't win"
Turnout was up on the previous Welsh Parliament election
Turnout was up on the previous Welsh Parliament election
Early last year, a group of British neo-Nazis were working towards a terror attack against targets including immigrants and Muslims
The men had already armed themselves and they were becoming impatient. But some members of their group were not all they seemed
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/w...
The men had already armed themselves and they were becoming impatient. But some members of their group were not all they seemed
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/w...
October 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Early last year, a group of British neo-Nazis were working towards a terror attack against targets including immigrants and Muslims
The men had already armed themselves and they were becoming impatient. But some members of their group were not all they seemed
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/w...
The men had already armed themselves and they were becoming impatient. But some members of their group were not all they seemed
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/w...
The Court of Appeal also agreed with the High Court's warning of "chaos" in the criminal courts if people charged with offences relating to Palestine Action raise defences saying the ban is unlawful
Failure for the High Court to rule on the question risked "different outcomes in different courts"
Failure for the High Court to rule on the question risked "different outcomes in different courts"
October 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The Court of Appeal also agreed with the High Court's warning of "chaos" in the criminal courts if people charged with offences relating to Palestine Action raise defences saying the ban is unlawful
Failure for the High Court to rule on the question risked "different outcomes in different courts"
Failure for the High Court to rule on the question risked "different outcomes in different courts"
The full judgment has now been published and can be viewed here
The fact so many people have been arrested and charged as a result of the proscription was core to the ruling
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
The fact so many people have been arrested and charged as a result of the proscription was core to the ruling
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
October 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
The full judgment has now been published and can be viewed here
The fact so many people have been arrested and charged as a result of the proscription was core to the ruling
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
The fact so many people have been arrested and charged as a result of the proscription was core to the ruling
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
The law around static assemblies is different from moving marches
They cannot be prohibited because of a general public order concern, and applications can only be made if they are on "land to which the public has no right of access or only a limited right"
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
They cannot be prohibited because of a general public order concern, and applications can only be made if they are on "land to which the public has no right of access or only a limited right"
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
October 3, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The law around static assemblies is different from moving marches
They cannot be prohibited because of a general public order concern, and applications can only be made if they are on "land to which the public has no right of access or only a limited right"
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
They cannot be prohibited because of a general public order concern, and applications can only be made if they are on "land to which the public has no right of access or only a limited right"
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
This parliamentary briefing from December says banning orders for marches are very rare
That's because of the high threshold and the wide-ranging powers under section 12 of the Public Order Act impose conditions to reduce the risk of disorder
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN...
That's because of the high threshold and the wide-ranging powers under section 12 of the Public Order Act impose conditions to reduce the risk of disorder
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN...
October 3, 2025 at 9:41 AM
This parliamentary briefing from December says banning orders for marches are very rare
That's because of the high threshold and the wide-ranging powers under section 12 of the Public Order Act impose conditions to reduce the risk of disorder
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN...
That's because of the high threshold and the wide-ranging powers under section 12 of the Public Order Act impose conditions to reduce the risk of disorder
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN...
The power is contained in this law - the Public Order Act 1986 (also the source of many recent right-wing outrages over arrests for online activity)
There has to be evidence of "serious public disorder", and the police have to show that risk cannot be managed
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
There has to be evidence of "serious public disorder", and the police have to show that risk cannot be managed
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
October 3, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The power is contained in this law - the Public Order Act 1986 (also the source of many recent right-wing outrages over arrests for online activity)
There has to be evidence of "serious public disorder", and the police have to show that risk cannot be managed
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
There has to be evidence of "serious public disorder", and the police have to show that risk cannot be managed
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/6...
Amazing nuggets in the PPE Medpro High Court ruling
The company was incorporated on 12 May 2020 and referred to the Covid "VIP lane" by Michelle Mone *the same day*, despite having no track record in manufacturing PPE
Who could have predicted that anything would go wrong?
The company was incorporated on 12 May 2020 and referred to the Covid "VIP lane" by Michelle Mone *the same day*, despite having no track record in manufacturing PPE
Who could have predicted that anything would go wrong?
October 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Amazing nuggets in the PPE Medpro High Court ruling
The company was incorporated on 12 May 2020 and referred to the Covid "VIP lane" by Michelle Mone *the same day*, despite having no track record in manufacturing PPE
Who could have predicted that anything would go wrong?
The company was incorporated on 12 May 2020 and referred to the Covid "VIP lane" by Michelle Mone *the same day*, despite having no track record in manufacturing PPE
Who could have predicted that anything would go wrong?
Watch out for Covid in London
My symptoms are fatigue, feeling dizzy, really sore throat, nausea, nasal drip and occasional dry cough and sneezing
My symptoms are fatigue, feeling dizzy, really sore throat, nausea, nasal drip and occasional dry cough and sneezing
September 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Watch out for Covid in London
My symptoms are fatigue, feeling dizzy, really sore throat, nausea, nasal drip and occasional dry cough and sneezing
My symptoms are fatigue, feeling dizzy, really sore throat, nausea, nasal drip and occasional dry cough and sneezing
On 17 July 2019, Gill was paid to arranged and host an event for MEPs inside the European Parliament where Medvedchuk presented his "Peace Plan for Donbass"
On 18 July 2019, Medvedchuk was in Russia telling Putin all about it. From the Kremlin website:
On 18 July 2019, Medvedchuk was in Russia telling Putin all about it. From the Kremlin website:
September 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
On 17 July 2019, Gill was paid to arranged and host an event for MEPs inside the European Parliament where Medvedchuk presented his "Peace Plan for Donbass"
On 18 July 2019, Medvedchuk was in Russia telling Putin all about it. From the Kremlin website:
On 18 July 2019, Medvedchuk was in Russia telling Putin all about it. From the Kremlin website:
Can confirm the queueing was not fun but everyone was very polite about it
September 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Can confirm the queueing was not fun but everyone was very polite about it
A few people turned up to see Barack Obama at London's O2 arena tonight
I'm not an expert on crowd sizes but the interviewer said 14,000 people were there. London mayor Sadiq Khan was among them. My report will be in the NYT's On Politics newsletter
www.nytimes.com/spotlight/on...
I'm not an expert on crowd sizes but the interviewer said 14,000 people were there. London mayor Sadiq Khan was among them. My report will be in the NYT's On Politics newsletter
www.nytimes.com/spotlight/on...
September 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
A few people turned up to see Barack Obama at London's O2 arena tonight
I'm not an expert on crowd sizes but the interviewer said 14,000 people were there. London mayor Sadiq Khan was among them. My report will be in the NYT's On Politics newsletter
www.nytimes.com/spotlight/on...
I'm not an expert on crowd sizes but the interviewer said 14,000 people were there. London mayor Sadiq Khan was among them. My report will be in the NYT's On Politics newsletter
www.nytimes.com/spotlight/on...
Last night on X I reported a graphic close-up video showing Charlie Kirk being shot
It was served to me on my timeline without me doing any search, from a blue tick account I didn't follow, and it autoplayed so fast I couldn't click to stop it
I received this response from X saying no rules broken
It was served to me on my timeline without me doing any search, from a blue tick account I didn't follow, and it autoplayed so fast I couldn't click to stop it
I received this response from X saying no rules broken
September 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Last night on X I reported a graphic close-up video showing Charlie Kirk being shot
It was served to me on my timeline without me doing any search, from a blue tick account I didn't follow, and it autoplayed so fast I couldn't click to stop it
I received this response from X saying no rules broken
It was served to me on my timeline without me doing any search, from a blue tick account I didn't follow, and it autoplayed so fast I couldn't click to stop it
I received this response from X saying no rules broken
Update from the Home Office - new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood visited the Metropolitan Police's Lambeth operations centre during the protest yesterday afternoon
Press release says she "backed officers in making arrests of those who supported proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action"
Press release says she "backed officers in making arrests of those who supported proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action"
September 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Update from the Home Office - new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood visited the Metropolitan Police's Lambeth operations centre during the protest yesterday afternoon
Press release says she "backed officers in making arrests of those who supported proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action"
Press release says she "backed officers in making arrests of those who supported proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action"
Protesters holding signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action" were arrested one by one and carried away if they wouldn't walk
The law used criminalises displaying anything that causes "reasonable suspicion" of supporting a banned group
The law used criminalises displaying anything that causes "reasonable suspicion" of supporting a banned group
September 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Protesters holding signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action" were arrested one by one and carried away if they wouldn't walk
The law used criminalises displaying anything that causes "reasonable suspicion" of supporting a banned group
The law used criminalises displaying anything that causes "reasonable suspicion" of supporting a banned group
I've been at the Defend Our Juries protest against the ban of Palestine Action in Westminster today
Full story coming later but here's some photos from the protest
Full story coming later but here's some photos from the protest
September 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I've been at the Defend Our Juries protest against the ban of Palestine Action in Westminster today
Full story coming later but here's some photos from the protest
Full story coming later but here's some photos from the protest