Lesley McDowell
@lesleymcdowell.bsky.social
Author of LOVE AND OTHER POISONS 'enthralling, a beautifully structured tale' The Scotsman; CLAIRMONT 'Riveting...clever portrait of a fascinating woman' The Times @wildfirebooks.bsky.social Repd by @sheilland.bsky.social ExJoycean Still Glaswegian she/her
Pinned
I'mso delighted to be able to share this! My next book with Wildfire is a historical novel based on the true story of Madeleine Smith, the wealthy young socialite who in 1857 stood trial for the murder of her lover, in a case that shocked the world. But did she do it? @headlinebooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
RIP Pam Hogg. I interviewed her a few years ago. She was ferocious, funny and a fucking excellent designer.
www.ft.com/content/6c78...
www.ft.com/content/6c78...
Designer Pam Hogg: ‘Kids at school called me a witch. But I loved it!’
The punky outlier who gave us Kylie Minogue in a catsuit is back in London with a show that plays on her sorcerous image
www.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
RIP Pam Hogg. I interviewed her a few years ago. She was ferocious, funny and a fucking excellent designer.
www.ft.com/content/6c78...
www.ft.com/content/6c78...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
The OBR could not be clearer today. Weak growth is tied to Brexit, which they now expect will leave UK trade 15% smaller in the long term.
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The OBR could not be clearer today. Weak growth is tied to Brexit, which they now expect will leave UK trade 15% smaller in the long term.
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
If only these were little old ladies who were peacefully sitting down and holding signs, the police could do something about it.
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
If only these were little old ladies who were peacefully sitting down and holding signs, the police could do something about it.
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Embroidered fabric fragment, something Thomas Cromwell may have seen during his time in Italy.
substack.com/@wolfhallwee...
substack.com/@wolfhallwee...
Wolf Hall Weekend (@wolfhallweekend)
Embroidered fabric fragment, something Thomas Cromwell may have seen during his time in Italy.
15th Century, Florence.
Frisé velvet with overshot weave; silk, silver and gold.
On display at Museo d...
substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Embroidered fabric fragment, something Thomas Cromwell may have seen during his time in Italy.
substack.com/@wolfhallwee...
substack.com/@wolfhallwee...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
She never misses a beat, of course, but Marina's first paragraph this week is *chef's kiss*
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What can we learn from RFK's 'erotic poetry'? That Americans need to get better at enjoying a scandal | Marina Hyde
The US health secretary’s ‘digital affair’ with Olivia Nuzzi doesn’t need sombre analysis. Take it from this Brit: sometimes laughter is the only option, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
She never misses a beat, of course, but Marina's first paragraph this week is *chef's kiss*
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
New: Three new ex-pupils come forward, on the record, to say Farage's racism as a teenager was targeted, persistent and nasty. Farage has denied targeting any individuals - but two of the men tell us they recall Farage abusing Peter Ettedgui.
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
Three more ex-pupils at school with Nigel Farage reject ‘banter’ claims
Exclusive: Dulwich college contemporaries ‘rubbish’ Reform UK leader’s suggestion alleged racist taunts not intended to hurt
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New: Three new ex-pupils come forward, on the record, to say Farage's racism as a teenager was targeted, persistent and nasty. Farage has denied targeting any individuals - but two of the men tell us they recall Farage abusing Peter Ettedgui.
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
So many senior MAGA figures are so careless I wouldn't be surprised if two dozen intelligence agencies have cracked their means of communication
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
So many senior MAGA figures are so careless I wouldn't be surprised if two dozen intelligence agencies have cracked their means of communication
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
"Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere."
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
"Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere."
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Great big news!
My book, LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK is coming to America! I'm so pleased that @princetonupress.bsky.social will be publishing my strange, slippery take on Spark's life and work. It'll be out in spring!
🐈⬛💘🐦⬛
My book, LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK is coming to America! I'm so pleased that @princetonupress.bsky.social will be publishing my strange, slippery take on Spark's life and work. It'll be out in spring!
🐈⬛💘🐦⬛
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Great big news!
My book, LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK is coming to America! I'm so pleased that @princetonupress.bsky.social will be publishing my strange, slippery take on Spark's life and work. It'll be out in spring!
🐈⬛💘🐦⬛
My book, LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK is coming to America! I'm so pleased that @princetonupress.bsky.social will be publishing my strange, slippery take on Spark's life and work. It'll be out in spring!
🐈⬛💘🐦⬛
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Kentish Fran 🇪🇺
Remember that Farage was one of the laziest MEPs.
He rarely turned up for a vote.
I wonder what was so special about this one?😉
Remember that Farage was one of the laziest MEPs.
He rarely turned up for a vote.
I wonder what was so special about this one?😉
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Kentish Fran 🇪🇺
Remember that Farage was one of the laziest MEPs.
He rarely turned up for a vote.
I wonder what was so special about this one?😉
Remember that Farage was one of the laziest MEPs.
He rarely turned up for a vote.
I wonder what was so special about this one?😉
Thankyou Barrhead News! www.barrheadnews.com/news/2564951...
East Renfrewshire pupils celebrate Book Week Scotland with authors
Libraries across East Renfrewshire celebrated Book Week Scotland with a range of author events and workshops
www.barrheadnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Thankyou Barrhead News! www.barrheadnews.com/news/2564951...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Stephen King: submitted for the approval of the midnight society, i call this
Elon Musk: [rising from bushes] eyyyy Stephano king
Musk: itsa me, you besta friend elon
Musk: elon musk!
Elon Musk: [rising from bushes] eyyyy Stephano king
Musk: itsa me, you besta friend elon
Musk: elon musk!
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Stephen King: submitted for the approval of the midnight society, i call this
Elon Musk: [rising from bushes] eyyyy Stephano king
Musk: itsa me, you besta friend elon
Musk: elon musk!
Elon Musk: [rising from bushes] eyyyy Stephano king
Musk: itsa me, you besta friend elon
Musk: elon musk!
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
"Activist" is being purposely used by Sky News here to obscure the fact that Linehan had a violent outburst with a teenager.
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage to the phone of a trans activist but not guilty of harassment.
news.sky.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
"Activist" is being purposely used by Sky News here to obscure the fact that Linehan had a violent outburst with a teenager.
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
This week I am writing about obeying illegal military orders.
Happy to hear any informed views and of any interesting/useful information, on or off record.
DMs open.
Happy to hear any informed views and of any interesting/useful information, on or off record.
DMs open.
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This week I am writing about obeying illegal military orders.
Happy to hear any informed views and of any interesting/useful information, on or off record.
DMs open.
Happy to hear any informed views and of any interesting/useful information, on or off record.
DMs open.
Ah, the Torygraph. Doing its best to stir up Glasgow. Btw, immigration isn't devolved so Scotland has no say in numbers; the reporter doesn't talk to anyone who's supportive of helping immigrants tho most in this city are www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Ah, the Torygraph. Doing its best to stir up Glasgow. Btw, immigration isn't devolved so Scotland has no say in numbers; the reporter doesn't talk to anyone who's supportive of helping immigrants tho most in this city are www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Trevor Phillips enjoys Jamie Oliver jerk rice
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Trevor Phillips enjoys Jamie Oliver jerk rice
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
If At First You Don't Secede, a Radio 4 documentary by @danigaravelli.bsky.social, offers a useful catch-up on where the Scottish independence movement is at, how it got there, and considers where – if anywhere – it might go in future.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Currently, If at First You Don’t Secede
If at first you don’t secede, should you really try, try, try again?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM
If At First You Don't Secede, a Radio 4 documentary by @danigaravelli.bsky.social, offers a useful catch-up on where the Scottish independence movement is at, how it got there, and considers where – if anywhere – it might go in future.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
Khaled is trying to pay the university fees for him and his sisters- as long as I’ve spoken to Khaled he’s been very focused on finishing his studies
Donations have decreased a lot recently, and we’re still trying to continue our university education despite the difficult circumstances.
Any support or even just sharing can make a big difference. 📚
Thank you from the heart to everyone who has stood by us.
↪ gofund.me/591c2ff8
Any support or even just sharing can make a big difference. 📚
Thank you from the heart to everyone who has stood by us.
↪ gofund.me/591c2ff8
November 25, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Khaled is trying to pay the university fees for him and his sisters- as long as I’ve spoken to Khaled he’s been very focused on finishing his studies
Reposted by Lesley McDowell
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...