Ian Birrell
@ianbirrell.bsky.social
Foreign correspondent, columnist, campaigner, co-founder Africa Express, citizen of the world and a bit more besides…
Reeves has behaved appallingly and is a terrible chancellor. But the hypocrisy of all those Tories who happily defended the Brexit disaster, Boris Johnson's deceptions and Liz Truss's catastrophic few weeks in Downing Street stinks
December 1, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Reeves has behaved appallingly and is a terrible chancellor. But the hypocrisy of all those Tories who happily defended the Brexit disaster, Boris Johnson's deceptions and Liz Truss's catastrophic few weeks in Downing Street stinks
Stunning statistic from @NYT feature on the dangers of e-bikes: study in one Californian hospital found that on a pedal bike, the chance of dying from an injury is about three-tenths of 1 percent.
On an e-bike, their data indicates it is 11%.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/m...
On an e-bike, their data indicates it is 11%.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/m...
The Shocking Crash That Led One County to Reckon With the Dangers of E-Bikes
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Stunning statistic from @NYT feature on the dangers of e-bikes: study in one Californian hospital found that on a pedal bike, the chance of dying from an injury is about three-tenths of 1 percent.
On an e-bike, their data indicates it is 11%.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/m...
On an e-bike, their data indicates it is 11%.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/m...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Don’t fall for the myths being pushed by Putin and his propaganda machinery about Kyiv’s imminent collapse and the corruption staining this supposedly fake democracy. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/puti...
Putin is pushing two vile myths about Ukraine – and Trump is helping him
Our resolve is being tested, but this is why we must stand firm
inews.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Don’t fall for the myths being pushed by Putin and his propaganda machinery about Kyiv’s imminent collapse and the corruption staining this supposedly fake democracy. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/puti...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Very sad to hear of Andreas Whittam Smith’s death. He oversaw the creation of something bold, exciting and fresh with The Independent in 1986. And he was always very kind, thoughtful and a source of wise counsel during my 12 year stint as deputy editor of the paper
November 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Very sad to hear of Andreas Whittam Smith’s death. He oversaw the creation of something bold, exciting and fresh with The Independent in 1986. And he was always very kind, thoughtful and a source of wise counsel during my 12 year stint as deputy editor of the paper
Very sad to hear of Andreas Whittam Smith’s death. He oversaw the creation of something bold, exciting and fresh with The Independent in 1986. And he was always very kind, thoughtful and a source of wise counsel during my 12 year stint as deputy editor of the paper
November 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Very sad to hear of Andreas Whittam Smith’s death. He oversaw the creation of something bold, exciting and fresh with The Independent in 1986. And he was always very kind, thoughtful and a source of wise counsel during my 12 year stint as deputy editor of the paper
Don’t fall for the myths being pushed by Putin and his propaganda machinery about Kyiv’s imminent collapse and the corruption staining this supposedly fake democracy. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/puti...
Putin is pushing two vile myths about Ukraine – and Trump is helping him
Our resolve is being tested, but this is why we must stand firm
inews.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Don’t fall for the myths being pushed by Putin and his propaganda machinery about Kyiv’s imminent collapse and the corruption staining this supposedly fake democracy. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/puti...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Trump’s plan to sell out Ukraine to make money for his donors and pals.
Please read this detailed @wsj.com expose of the White House’s sordid deal-making discussions with Russia
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Please read this detailed @wsj.com expose of the White House’s sordid deal-making discussions with Russia
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Trump’s plan to sell out Ukraine to make money for his donors and pals.
Please read this detailed @wsj.com expose of the White House’s sordid deal-making discussions with Russia
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Please read this detailed @wsj.com expose of the White House’s sordid deal-making discussions with Russia
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
The welfare bill is soaring, special needs education is in crisis, social care is crumbling - but our pathetic politicians play tribal games while ignoring the nation's most profound problems. My
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
Our welfare bill is ballooning - and our pathetic politicians are to blame
We've seen mere tinkering at Budgets by both Labour and the Tories, along with a timid collective failure to tackle major problems
inews.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The welfare bill is soaring, special needs education is in crisis, social care is crumbling - but our pathetic politicians play tribal games while ignoring the nation's most profound problems. My
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
The welfare bill is soaring, special needs education is in crisis, social care is crumbling - but our pathetic politicians play tribal games while ignoring the nation's most profound problems. My
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
Our welfare bill is ballooning - and our pathetic politicians are to blame
We've seen mere tinkering at Budgets by both Labour and the Tories, along with a timid collective failure to tackle major problems
inews.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The welfare bill is soaring, special needs education is in crisis, social care is crumbling - but our pathetic politicians play tribal games while ignoring the nation's most profound problems. My
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
@theipaper.com column on a depressing budget inews.co.uk/opinion/welf...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
As I wrote earlier this year....and now this government is grabbing control of SEND provision, so prepare for the worst
November 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
As I wrote earlier this year....and now this government is grabbing control of SEND provision, so prepare for the worst
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
So patronising and offensive
Sorry, no, Motability was not about 'helping the most vulnerable' - it was about providing people who need modified vehicles modified vehicles!
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
So patronising and offensive
Central government is taking on the full cost of SEND provision, thereby removing a major cost from local authorities but also breaking an important communal bond. Given the smoke signals on this issue from some ministers, this is pretty alarming
November 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Central government is taking on the full cost of SEND provision, thereby removing a major cost from local authorities but also breaking an important communal bond. Given the smoke signals on this issue from some ministers, this is pretty alarming
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Still, at least we have fantastic public services hahaha….
The budget leak is pretty breathtaking but should not hide that this is a desperate tax-grabbing, welfare-increasing budget designed to keep the chancellor and PM in their jobs by appeasing their MPs
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The budget leak is pretty breathtaking but should not hide that this is a desperate tax-grabbing, welfare-increasing budget designed to keep the chancellor and PM in their jobs by appeasing their MPs
It is not ‘misogyny’ to point out that Reeves has been a hopeless chancellor who misled voters repeatedly, stifled growth, mishandled the economy and has made a series of political missteps (as well as plagiarising, posting up a false CV and failing to obtain a council rental licence).
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
It is not ‘misogyny’ to point out that Reeves has been a hopeless chancellor who misled voters repeatedly, stifled growth, mishandled the economy and has made a series of political missteps (as well as plagiarising, posting up a false CV and failing to obtain a council rental licence).
'Nigel Farage is facing calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.'
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Exclusive: The Reform UK leader discussed far-right talking points in web TV and radio appearances between 2009 and 2018
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
'Nigel Farage is facing calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.'
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe on the brink of defeat
Putin is carving up Ukraine
inews.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe on the brink of defeat
Putin is carving up Ukraine
inews.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Trump's pathetic 'peace' plan leaves Europe and democracy on the brink of defeat - my @theipaper column on a putrid betrayal inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
Trump's 'peace plan' for Ukraine will leave Russia as 'a complete winner' - in the words of the grotesque EU leader who is Putin's biggest patsy (and was drummed out of office previously following a double murder linked to corruption inquiries)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his government supports the "peace plan" for Ukraine proposed by President Trump.
According to him, the document is "bombastic,"&if adopted,Russia would "emerge as a complete winner - morally and economically strengthened."
According to him, the document is "bombastic,"&if adopted,Russia would "emerge as a complete winner - morally and economically strengthened."
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Trump's 'peace plan' for Ukraine will leave Russia as 'a complete winner' - in the words of the grotesque EU leader who is Putin's biggest patsy (and was drummed out of office previously following a double murder linked to corruption inquiries)
Russian tentacles are reaching deep into British democracy - my @theipaper column from September on Nathan Gill, his pals in Reform UK and Moscow disinformation
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
Russian tentacles are reaching deep into British democracy – Ian Birrell
ianbirrell.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Russian tentacles are reaching deep into British democracy - my @theipaper column from September on Nathan Gill, his pals in Reform UK and Moscow disinformation
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
ianbirrell.com/russian-tent...
Wow: the CDC - one of the world's most influential public health agencies - is now spreading vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on debunking vaccines-autism link
The CDC’s website now says health authorities ignored evidence of a potential connection between vaccines and autism, despite dozens of studies showing no link.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Wow: the CDC - one of the world's most influential public health agencies - is now spreading vaccine disinformation and conspiracy theories www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
While no fan of Cummings, this is an interesting line in his response to the Covid inquiry about the origins cover-up
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
While no fan of Cummings, this is an interesting line in his response to the Covid inquiry about the origins cover-up