Luke Butterly
@lukejbutterly.bsky.social
Journalist at @thedetailtv.bsky.social.
Got a story? Email: lbutterly@thedetail.tv / Signal: lukejbutterly.48
Got a story? Email: lbutterly@thedetail.tv / Signal: lukejbutterly.48
Pinned
HMRC ‘urgently reviewing’ flawed benefit crackdown as families impacted across the UK
At the weekend, it emerged that about 350 families in Northern Ireland had been wrongly caught up in the crackdown
www.thedetail.tv
HMRC ‘urgently reviewing’ flawed benefit crackdown as families impacted across the UK www.thedetail.tv/articles/hmr...
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has targeted more than a dozen people for showing support for the proscribed group - but has taken no similar action against displays of support for paramilitaries www.thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Palestine Action: PSNI faces questions on policing of support for proscribed groups
Despite arrests and advisory letters since Palestine Action was banned, no similar action was taken over displays of support for paramilitaries
www.thedetail.tv
November 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has targeted more than a dozen people for showing support for the proscribed group - but has taken no similar action against displays of support for paramilitaries www.thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Reposted by Luke Butterly
The PSNI is facing fresh questions about consistency in policing, as Belfast and Derry prepare for Palestine Action protests on Saturday.
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has made three arrests and sent six files to the Public Prosecution Service.
www.thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has made three arrests and sent six files to the Public Prosecution Service.
www.thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Palestine Action: PSNI faces questions on policing of support for proscribed groups
Despite arrests and advisory letters since Palestine Action was banned, no similar action was taken over displays of support for paramilitaries
www.thedetail.tv
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
The PSNI is facing fresh questions about consistency in policing, as Belfast and Derry prepare for Palestine Action protests on Saturday.
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has made three arrests and sent six files to the Public Prosecution Service.
www.thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has made three arrests and sent six files to the Public Prosecution Service.
www.thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Reposted by Luke Butterly
A timely & important article by @lukejbutterly.bsky.social on the gross disparity between the policing of Palestine solidarity and the policing of proscibed paramilitary groups & supporters.
'The PSNI has confirmed that no advisory letters were sent to supporters of paramilitary groups.' [1/2]
'The PSNI has confirmed that no advisory letters were sent to supporters of paramilitary groups.' [1/2]
Palestine Action: PSNI faces questions on policing of support for proscribed groups
Despite arrests and advisory letters since Palestine Action was banned, no similar action was taken over displays of support for paramilitaries
thedetail.tv
November 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A timely & important article by @lukejbutterly.bsky.social on the gross disparity between the policing of Palestine solidarity and the policing of proscibed paramilitary groups & supporters.
'The PSNI has confirmed that no advisory letters were sent to supporters of paramilitary groups.' [1/2]
'The PSNI has confirmed that no advisory letters were sent to supporters of paramilitary groups.' [1/2]
Goretti Horgan, who has been threatened with a terrorism offence for protesting against the Palestine Action ban, said she once in the same position as activists from the group:
November 20, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Goretti Horgan, who has been threatened with a terrorism offence for protesting against the Palestine Action ban, said she once in the same position as activists from the group:
Reposted by Luke Butterly
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has targeted more than a dozen people for showing support - an offence under the Terrorism Act - but has taken no similar action against displays of support for paramilitaries thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Palestine Action: PSNI faces questions on policing of support for proscribed groups
Despite arrests and advisory letters since Palestine Action was banned, no similar action was taken over displays of support for paramilitaries
thedetail.tv
November 20, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Since Palestine Action was banned, the PSNI has targeted more than a dozen people for showing support - an offence under the Terrorism Act - but has taken no similar action against displays of support for paramilitaries thedetail.tv/articles/pal...
Anyone who had their Child Benefit incorrectly suspended "can ask HMRC to review any loss and ask for reimbursement. They will be asked to provide supporting evidence to confirm that their loss was solely as a direct result of this issue." Link here - www.gov.uk/complain-abo...
The Treasury Committee has accused HMRC of being ‘cavalier’ with finances of child benefit claimants, following an investigation by The Detail and the Guardian www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Call for inquiry after families stripped of child benefit due to flawed travel data
Andrew Snowden MP says government ‘must immediate take action’ on failures of anti-fraud benefits crackdown
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Anyone who had their Child Benefit incorrectly suspended "can ask HMRC to review any loss and ask for reimbursement. They will be asked to provide supporting evidence to confirm that their loss was solely as a direct result of this issue." Link here - www.gov.uk/complain-abo...
Reposted by Luke Butterly
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.
Palestine Action activists on trial in UK over attack on Israeli arms maker
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The judge urged the jury to do away with personal feelings about the war on Gaza or the legality of the proscription.
The Treasury Committee has accused HMRC of being ‘cavalier’ with finances of child benefit claimants, following an investigation by The Detail and the Guardian www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Call for inquiry after families stripped of child benefit due to flawed travel data
Andrew Snowden MP says government ‘must immediate take action’ on failures of anti-fraud benefits crackdown
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The Treasury Committee has accused HMRC of being ‘cavalier’ with finances of child benefit claimants, following an investigation by The Detail and the Guardian www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Luke Butterly
HMRC accused of being ‘cavalier’ with finances of child benefit claimants
HMRC accused of being ‘cavalier’ with finances of child benefit claimants
Thousands of parents had their payments stopped after faulty data suggested they had left the UK and not returned
HMRC bosses have been accused of being “cavalier” with people’s finances after stripping child benefit from nearly 4,000 parents who were wrongly assumed to have emigrated.
Senior officials are going to be summoned before the Treasury select committee to explain why the benefit fraud crackdown went so awry. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
HMRC accused of being ‘cavalier’ with finances of child benefit claimants
Reposted by Luke Butterly
Six members of the proscribed 'terrorist' action group to be tried over attack on Israeli weapons group Elbit Systems.
Palestine Action trial begins in London – what we know
Six members of the proscribed 'terrorist' action group to be tried over attack on Israeli weapons group Elbit Systems.
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Six members of the proscribed 'terrorist' action group to be tried over attack on Israeli weapons group Elbit Systems.
Reposted by Luke Butterly
Calls for inquiry as faulty Home Office data leaves thousands without Child Benefit www.thedetail.tv/articles/cal...
Calls for inquiry as faulty Home Office data leaves thousands without Child Benefit
Parents wrongly accused of leaving the UK describe distress, financial hardship and invasive demands for proof after HMRC suspended payments based on inaccurate travel records
www.thedetail.tv
November 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Calls for inquiry as faulty Home Office data leaves thousands without Child Benefit www.thedetail.tv/articles/cal...
The HMRC-Home Office scheme used flight booking data - known as PNR - to determine if someone was still eligible for Child Benefit.
Home Office only has access to PNR data due to post-9/11 terror laws. Privacy experts say this is a textbook example of 'function creep'. thedetail.tv/articles/cal...
Home Office only has access to PNR data due to post-9/11 terror laws. Privacy experts say this is a textbook example of 'function creep'. thedetail.tv/articles/cal...
Calls for inquiry as faulty Home Office data leaves thousands without Child Benefit
Parents wrongly accused of leaving the UK describe distress, financial hardship and invasive demands for proof after HMRC suspended payments based on inaccurate travel records
thedetail.tv
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
The HMRC-Home Office scheme used flight booking data - known as PNR - to determine if someone was still eligible for Child Benefit.
Home Office only has access to PNR data due to post-9/11 terror laws. Privacy experts say this is a textbook example of 'function creep'. thedetail.tv/articles/cal...
Home Office only has access to PNR data due to post-9/11 terror laws. Privacy experts say this is a textbook example of 'function creep'. thedetail.tv/articles/cal...
This should be brilliant, and very timely. (Belfast date is actually 26 Nov, I think)
V pleased to be giving a public talk (two, in fact) at Ulster University later this month:
"How did we get here? The rise of Britain's far right."
Derry, 25 Nov: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-did-we...
Belfast, 25 Nov: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-did-we...
Please come along, or share with friends.
"How did we get here? The rise of Britain's far right."
Derry, 25 Nov: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-did-we...
Belfast, 25 Nov: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-did-we...
Please come along, or share with friends.
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This should be brilliant, and very timely. (Belfast date is actually 26 Nov, I think)
NI education minister Paul Givan recently visited an Israeli school in illegally-occupied East Jerusalem. The UK govt policy is to not visit such institutions .
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
NI education minister Paul Givan recently visited an Israeli school in illegally-occupied East Jerusalem. The UK govt policy is to not visit such institutions .
Reposted by Luke Butterly
No perpetrators have been brought to justice after 1977 death-in-detention of famed anti-apartheid leader, Steve Biko.
Will South Africa’s Biko inquest finally yield justice for struggle icon?
No perpetrators have been brought to justice after 1977 death-in-detention of famed anti-apartheid leader, Steve Biko.
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
No perpetrators have been brought to justice after 1977 death-in-detention of famed anti-apartheid leader, Steve Biko.
Ministers were warned that Palestine Action ban would be viewed as anti-Muslim, pro-Israel bias www.thedetail.tv/articles/min...
Ministers warned Palestine Action ban would be viewed as anti-Muslim, pro-Israel bias
“Debate will also likely concern whether using terrorism powers to counter criminal but non-violent direct action groups is a proportionate response"
www.thedetail.tv
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Ministers were warned that Palestine Action ban would be viewed as anti-Muslim, pro-Israel bias www.thedetail.tv/articles/min...
Reposted by Luke Butterly
👉NEW -- Forgotten photos expose UK army abuses in Iraq
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
Forgotten photos expose UK army abuses in Iraq
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003
www.declassifieduk.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
👉NEW -- Forgotten photos expose UK army abuses in Iraq
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
Palestinian filmmaker Rabie Mustapha said something profound on this panel:
The ban on Western journalists in Gaza - who historically downplay Palestinian suffering and prioritise Israeli narratives - meant that our news came from local journalists, and so we got an accurate account of the genocide
The ban on Western journalists in Gaza - who historically downplay Palestinian suffering and prioritise Israeli narratives - meant that our news came from local journalists, and so we got an accurate account of the genocide
Join us for a discussion of 'A Bunch of Questions With No Answers', a record of the endless demands for clarification and accountability about the genocide in Palestine.
Panel: Journalist Allison Morris and filmmakers Trevor Birney Rabie Mustapha
www.blackboxbelfast.com/event/belfas...
Panel: Journalist Allison Morris and filmmakers Trevor Birney Rabie Mustapha
www.blackboxbelfast.com/event/belfas...
Belfast Film Festival presents Panel Event: A Bunch of Questions With No Answers | The Black Box
On Saturday 8 November a panel of journalists and filmmakers will discuss their response to the film and its wider meaning in the context of journalism on the subject of Palestine and the shocking num...
www.blackboxbelfast.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Palestinian filmmaker Rabie Mustapha said something profound on this panel:
The ban on Western journalists in Gaza - who historically downplay Palestinian suffering and prioritise Israeli narratives - meant that our news came from local journalists, and so we got an accurate account of the genocide
The ban on Western journalists in Gaza - who historically downplay Palestinian suffering and prioritise Israeli narratives - meant that our news came from local journalists, and so we got an accurate account of the genocide
"Since 2000, there have been 109 [terror related] deaths in Northern Ireland (population 1.9 million) and 104 in Britain (population 61 million), 1,497 bombing incidents in Northern Ireland and 14 in Britain."
- Report of the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice
- Report of the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice
November 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
"Since 2000, there have been 109 [terror related] deaths in Northern Ireland (population 1.9 million) and 104 in Britain (population 61 million), 1,497 bombing incidents in Northern Ireland and 14 in Britain."
- Report of the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice
- Report of the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice
Reposted by Luke Butterly
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular
Briefing paper warned proscription could also heighten Muslim-Jewish tensions and be seen as favouring Israel
Ministers banned Palestine Action despite being told by their advisers it could “inadvertently enhance” the group’s profile, an official government document shows.
The briefing paper was written three months before the proscription of the group, which was set up to take direct action to halt UK arms supplies to Israel. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular
Reposted by Luke Butterly
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular www.thedetail.tv/articles/min...
Ministers warned Palestine Action ban would be viewed as anti-Muslim, pro-Israel bias
“Debate will also likely concern whether using terrorism powers to counter criminal but non-violent direct action groups is a proportionate response"
www.thedetail.tv
November 11, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular www.thedetail.tv/articles/min...
Here is a long-read of the story so far:
'Kafkaesque' HMRC crackdown wrongly targets Northern Irish families using Dublin Airport thedetailni.substack.com/p/kafkaesque...
'Kafkaesque' HMRC crackdown wrongly targets Northern Irish families using Dublin Airport thedetailni.substack.com/p/kafkaesque...
'Kafkaesque' HMRC crackdown wrongly targets Northern Irish families using Dublin Airport
The extraordinary blunder by UK tax authorities shows no understanding of life on the island of Ireland, an MP said
thedetailni.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Here is a long-read of the story so far:
'Kafkaesque' HMRC crackdown wrongly targets Northern Irish families using Dublin Airport thedetailni.substack.com/p/kafkaesque...
'Kafkaesque' HMRC crackdown wrongly targets Northern Irish families using Dublin Airport thedetailni.substack.com/p/kafkaesque...
Reposted by Luke Butterly
EXCL: Home Office travel records used in controversial anti-fraud crackdown were so flawed that almost half of families initially flagged as emigrated still lived in UK - Luke Butterly &
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
HMRC trial of child benefit crackdown wrongly suspected fraud in 46% of cases
Exclusive: Almost half of families flagged as emigrants based on Home Office travel data were still living in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
EXCL: Home Office travel records used in controversial anti-fraud crackdown were so flawed that almost half of families initially flagged as emigrated still lived in UK - Luke Butterly &
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
My exclusive with the Guardian. The figures for families in Northern Ireland was even worse
HMRC trial of child benefit crackdown wrongly suspected fraud in 46% of cases
HMRC trial of child benefit crackdown wrongly suspected fraud in 46% of cases
Exclusive: Almost half of families flagged as emigrants based on Home Office travel data were still living in UK
Home Office travel records used in a trial of a controversial anti-fraud crackdown that under which thousands of parents lost their child benefit were so flawed that almost half of the families initially flagged as having emigrated were still living in the UK, it has emerged.
The pilot scheme saved HMRC £17m but left 46% of families targeted incorrectly suspected of fraud, a margin of error far in excess of the 1% to 5% scientifically acceptable. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
My exclusive with the Guardian. The figures for families in Northern Ireland was even worse
Reposted by Luke Butterly
HMRC rolled out anti-fraud system despite pilot showing almost 80% error rate in Northern Ireland thedetail.tv/articles/hmr...
HMRC rolled out anti-fraud system despite pilot showing almost 80% error rate in Northern Ireland
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes said the high error rates were “a staggering failure"
thedetail.tv
November 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
HMRC rolled out anti-fraud system despite pilot showing almost 80% error rate in Northern Ireland thedetail.tv/articles/hmr...