Catherine Neilan

1 week ago | tortoisemedia.com | Catherine Neilan

A think tank with close links to Reform UK is expected to launch within weeks, raising questions about scrutiny of its funding. Developed with the working title ‘Resolute 1850’, the think tank is reportedly being led by the party’s former chief operating officer Jonathan Brown and will be based in the same building as Reform’s HQ. A presentation seen by the FT last month said Resolute 1850 plans to tap into funding from UK sources as well as “US donors from MAGA, Tech, Religious conservatives”.

1 week ago | tortoisemedia.com | Catherine Neilan |Louis Mian

A billionaire allegedly behind a €2.4 million “strawman” donation to Germany’s far-right AfD party is linked to a company that has been making use of a UK loophole to give large sums of money to the Conservative Party. Alternative for Germany is currently under police investigation after Der Spiegel in Germany and Der Standard, an Austrian newspaper, reported that the party had incorrectly attributed the donation to a regional politician called Gerhard Dingler.

2 weeks ago | tortoisemedia.com | Catherine Neilan

Proposals to create a European Rearmament Bank are gathering momentum, with Treasury officials reportedly taking centre stage at a recent gathering of “select” allies. According to Politico, the wonks have set out plans to create economies of scale, buy weapons and cut the cost of defence procurement, while avoiding placing the burden on national budgets. Last month Keir Starmer told MPs there was a discussion taking place about future funding.

2 weeks ago | tortoisemedia.com | Catherine Neilan |Louis Mian

Dozens of former public servants have joined private sector firms in fields that directly overlap with their past roles, opening up potential conflicts of interest. A joint investigation by Tortoise and BBC Radio 4’s The Naked Week found at least 36 people who worked for technology regulators or government departments are now at some of the world’s largest tech and social media firms.

3 weeks ago | tortoisemedia.com | Catherine Neilan

Nine months is a long time in politics, especially if you’re getting it in the neck. But the departure of Keir Starmer’s communications director, Matthew Doyle, after less than a year is drawing attention. Doyle survived the defenestration of Sue Gray, the prime minister’s short-lived chief of staff, which was a head scratcher for many within Labour who felt Doyle should have carried the can for failing to keep deal on various media storms – including ‘freebie-gate’.