HB Lyle
@hblyle.bsky.social
Author of The Irregular series of historical spy thrillers, Hodder in UK, Mobius in US. 'Wiggins is the Best'
Other life as screenplay development exec/screenwriter - looking for/trying to be the UK's answer to William Goldman. (I did say 'trying')
Other life as screenplay development exec/screenwriter - looking for/trying to be the UK's answer to William Goldman. (I did say 'trying')
Reposted by HB Lyle
This is bizarre. Like the editor of the guardian or mail or any other paper complaining repeatedly about the front page lead they decided to run with.
Very good example of what's wrong with broadcast news - they've given up deciding for themselves what is or isn't news and what the priorities are
Very good example of what's wrong with broadcast news - they've given up deciding for themselves what is or isn't news and what the priorities are
It’s a sign of how insane the news cycle is these days that this historic failure of government policy got just one day of news coverage this week.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
BREAKING: UK’s response to Covid was “too little too late”. Acting faster could have saved 23,000 lives in England according to the public inquiry.
Boris Johnson presided over a “toxic, sexist, chaotic culture” in No10, where rule-breaking seriously undermined public confidence.
Boris Johnson presided over a “toxic, sexist, chaotic culture” in No10, where rule-breaking seriously undermined public confidence.
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is bizarre. Like the editor of the guardian or mail or any other paper complaining repeatedly about the front page lead they decided to run with.
Very good example of what's wrong with broadcast news - they've given up deciding for themselves what is or isn't news and what the priorities are
Very good example of what's wrong with broadcast news - they've given up deciding for themselves what is or isn't news and what the priorities are
Reposted by HB Lyle
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by HB Lyle
I am moving to Dubai because England is so dangerous. www.ft.com/content/9bf6...
November 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I am moving to Dubai because England is so dangerous. www.ft.com/content/9bf6...
It's a bit sad watching a podcast with Alan Rusbridger and Janine Gibson, and thinking about the Guardian as it is now.
November 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM
It's a bit sad watching a podcast with Alan Rusbridger and Janine Gibson, and thinking about the Guardian as it is now.
Reposted by HB Lyle
In the last decades, the world has made fantastic progress against extreme poverty. In 1990, 2.3 billion people lived in extreme poverty. Since then, the number of extremely poor people has declined by 1.5 *billion* people. 🧵
November 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
In the last decades, the world has made fantastic progress against extreme poverty. In 1990, 2.3 billion people lived in extreme poverty. Since then, the number of extremely poor people has declined by 1.5 *billion* people. 🧵
Reposted by HB Lyle
i feel sorry for former bbc employees who slag the bbc off in the papers, because it shows they don’t have any friends from when they worked there to vent to on whatsapp
November 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
i feel sorry for former bbc employees who slag the bbc off in the papers, because it shows they don’t have any friends from when they worked there to vent to on whatsapp
Reposted by HB Lyle
BBC Under Attack: Pot and Kettle Special
The new Private Eye is out now.
The new Private Eye is out now.
November 12, 2025 at 8:06 AM
BBC Under Attack: Pot and Kettle Special
The new Private Eye is out now.
The new Private Eye is out now.
Reposted by HB Lyle
Finally, a bit of a reality check from our 2024 election book (out soon!) for everyone hyperventilating about collapsing public trust in the BBC - free to air TV (mostly the BBC) is still the most widely consumed and widely trusted source of news - blows print, online & social media out of the water
November 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Finally, a bit of a reality check from our 2024 election book (out soon!) for everyone hyperventilating about collapsing public trust in the BBC - free to air TV (mostly the BBC) is still the most widely consumed and widely trusted source of news - blows print, online & social media out of the water
Reposted by HB Lyle
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I found this out about ten minutes ago, on a random news feed. How did I not know? Mira Nair is an amazing director, and now her son will run New York....
just a second. did you all know that Zohran Mamdani is MIRA NAIR'S SON? Mira "made the movie Monsoon Wedding" Nair?
all this time I have not been knowing that he is someone who *understands the value of the arts*?
(I shared a cab to Mexico City airport with her once. She's great.)
all this time I have not been knowing that he is someone who *understands the value of the arts*?
(I shared a cab to Mexico City airport with her once. She's great.)
November 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
I found this out about ten minutes ago, on a random news feed. How did I not know? Mira Nair is an amazing director, and now her son will run New York....
Reposted by HB Lyle
Businesses have noticed this is a leftwing government. Farmers have noticed. The globally mobile rich have noticed. Basically the only people who don’t think this is a leftwing government are the people who want one.
October 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Businesses have noticed this is a leftwing government. Farmers have noticed. The globally mobile rich have noticed. Basically the only people who don’t think this is a leftwing government are the people who want one.
Reposted by HB Lyle
MOJO's chief headbanger James McNair runs down Page, Plant, Bonham and Paul-Jones' finest studio and live LPs. 10. Celebration Day 9. In Through The Out Door
Led Zeppelin's Greatest Albums Ranked!
www.mojo4music.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
MOJO's chief headbanger James McNair runs down Page, Plant, Bonham and Paul-Jones' finest studio and live LPs. 10. Celebration Day 9. In Through The Out Door
This is great. Robert Redford talking about the origins of All The President's Men
www.instagram.com/reel/DOrMsCx...
www.instagram.com/reel/DOrMsCx...
Login • Instagram
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October 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This is great. Robert Redford talking about the origins of All The President's Men
www.instagram.com/reel/DOrMsCx...
www.instagram.com/reel/DOrMsCx...
Reposted by HB Lyle
[me, a journalist who spends all day every day on a social media app where the discovery algorithm is personally controlled by its owner, captain birdseye] you know, a lot of people are talking about fish fingers, we should probably cover that
September 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
[me, a journalist who spends all day every day on a social media app where the discovery algorithm is personally controlled by its owner, captain birdseye] you know, a lot of people are talking about fish fingers, we should probably cover that
Spy Hunter has been short listed for the Aspects of History Spy fiction prize - honoured, happy, excited etc. Thanks so much to the judges. aspectsofhistory.com/spymasters-b... @hodderbooks.bsky.social @hodderfiction.bsky.social @writerspractice.bsky.social
Spymasters Book Prize 2025: Shortlist Announced - Aspects of History
Spymasters Book Prize 2025: Shortlist Announced. Six titles are shortlisted for the inaugural award, announced September.
aspectsofhistory.com
August 18, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Spy Hunter has been short listed for the Aspects of History Spy fiction prize - honoured, happy, excited etc. Thanks so much to the judges. aspectsofhistory.com/spymasters-b... @hodderbooks.bsky.social @hodderfiction.bsky.social @writerspractice.bsky.social
Reposted by HB Lyle
Mid 00s, at a Linkin Park gig. Got caught short in the mosh pit with too many people behind me to get out. Decided to crowd surf to the front but shat myself halfway. Apologies to the man who got his hands covered in it.
August 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Mid 00s, at a Linkin Park gig. Got caught short in the mosh pit with too many people behind me to get out. Decided to crowd surf to the front but shat myself halfway. Apologies to the man who got his hands covered in it.
Reposted by HB Lyle
I’m hiring a reporter for London Centric, looking for someone smart who can use a phone, knock on doors and wants to cause trouble. Don’t care if you’ve got qualifications, just want evidence of caring about news. Initial six month contract, pay above national rates. www.londoncentric.media/p/jobs
July 1, 2025 at 7:11 AM
I’m hiring a reporter for London Centric, looking for someone smart who can use a phone, knock on doors and wants to cause trouble. Don’t care if you’ve got qualifications, just want evidence of caring about news. Initial six month contract, pay above national rates. www.londoncentric.media/p/jobs
Reposted by HB Lyle
Another little push for my piece on the wondrous story behind Lindisfarne’s Lady Eleanor.
www.loudersound.com/features/lin...
www.loudersound.com/features/lin...
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, Lindisfarne's Lady Eleanor was written in a psychiatric ward
"I can't believe all these people are buying a single about death!"
www.loudersound.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Another little push for my piece on the wondrous story behind Lindisfarne’s Lady Eleanor.
www.loudersound.com/features/lin...
www.loudersound.com/features/lin...
Reposted by HB Lyle
I've been a journalist for 25+ years and I'm not sure I've witnessed as much wilful (and v likely coordinated) disinformation from certain corners of the UK media than over past few days. Sun, Mail and Telegraph have been truly awful - and seemingly shameless
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Rightwing media falsely blame Ed Miliband for UK steel crisis, experts say
Net zero and clean energy can actually help save the steel industry, experts point out
www.theguardian.com
April 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I've been a journalist for 25+ years and I'm not sure I've witnessed as much wilful (and v likely coordinated) disinformation from certain corners of the UK media than over past few days. Sun, Mail and Telegraph have been truly awful - and seemingly shameless
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Just saw that the sequel to The Accoutant is coming out, and they've named it The Accountant 2. Surely it should have been called The Accountant: Double Entry.
April 10, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Just saw that the sequel to The Accoutant is coming out, and they've named it The Accountant 2. Surely it should have been called The Accountant: Double Entry.
Reposted by HB Lyle
My proposal for this grey February Monday is that political reporters should be abolished. They're far too addicted to the psychodrama, they don't have expertise in any policy areas, they bigfoot their expert colleagues on any story that involves an MP, and this creates too noise and little light.
February 3, 2025 at 9:46 AM
My proposal for this grey February Monday is that political reporters should be abolished. They're far too addicted to the psychodrama, they don't have expertise in any policy areas, they bigfoot their expert colleagues on any story that involves an MP, and this creates too noise and little light.
Reposted by HB Lyle
MOJO’s editorial staff are still being contacted by musicians who have been targeted by this scam via Facebook. To be clear: MOJO never asks to be paid in exchange for coverage.
IMPORTANT: It’s been brought to my attention that someone is impersonating me online, asking for money in exchange for coverage in MOJO. Please do not send this person money! They may be trying this scam across different social media, and they are also impersonating other MOJO writers.
January 8, 2025 at 8:59 AM
MOJO’s editorial staff are still being contacted by musicians who have been targeted by this scam via Facebook. To be clear: MOJO never asks to be paid in exchange for coverage.
To be honest, regardless of the ins and outs of the deal, I am shocked that the Scott Trust board didn't consult the editor of the paper it's done a deal to sell.
Can the board members come out in support of this? Will they? or resign maybe....
Can the board members come out in support of this? Will they? or resign maybe....
And here is a letter from the very-recently-retired Observer editor Paul Webster www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...
December 9, 2024 at 9:44 PM
To be honest, regardless of the ins and outs of the deal, I am shocked that the Scott Trust board didn't consult the editor of the paper it's done a deal to sell.
Can the board members come out in support of this? Will they? or resign maybe....
Can the board members come out in support of this? Will they? or resign maybe....
Reposted by HB Lyle
The arts now contribute more to our GDP than either mining or agriculture....
Can someone correct me if I'm being innumerate here but is this story suggesting that 1/1600th of the entire UK economy is ABBA Voyage-related? (And I'll be honest given the state of the economy, maybe it is!)
ABBA Voyage is proving to be more than just a show—it's an economic powerhouse, bringing millions to Stratford and boosting jobs. A shining example of how our support for culture and creativity drives growth across London.
December 9, 2024 at 2:04 PM
The arts now contribute more to our GDP than either mining or agriculture....