Catherine Neilan

London

Politics Editor at Tortoise

Politics Editor for @Tortoise. Politics, investigations & taramasalata. Mrs @alexfarber DMs open for tips

Featured in: Favicon

tortoisemedia.com Favicon

businessinsider.com (+2) Favicon

telegraph.co.uk Favicon

yahoo.com (+7) Favicon

insider.com Favicon

businessinsider.com.au Favicon

businessinsider.jp Favicon

cityam.com Favicon

screendaily.com Favicon

prospectmagazine.co.uk + 5 more

Articles

Profile: Nick Thomas-Symonds, the softly spoken Welshman with the PM’s ear

2 days ago | observer.co.uk | Catherine Neilan

Despite his junior role, this loyal Keir whisperer is positioned at the heart of Downing Street and is key to Labour’s European ambitions When Labour assumed power last summer, it took three days before Nick Thomas-Symonds received the call.
Labour plots immigration blitz after Reform success at polls

1 week ago | observer.co.uk | Catherine Neilan

Reform’s local election success is forcing tensions to spill out across Whitehall as pressure builds on the government to bring immigration numbers down. The Home Office is expected to publish its long-awaited white paper on immigration in the coming days, with plans for a radical reform of the post-Brexit regime and proposals for further restrictions on ways to get a visa, including the graduate route for foreign students.
Russian sabotage squads ramp up attacks to spook the west

1 week ago | observer.co.uk | Alexi Mostrous |Nina Kuryata |Catherine Neilan

Experts say the government needs to prepare for possible attacks on infrastructure after a string of operations in Europe linked to Russia On the morning in March after a huge substation fire shut down Europe’s busiest airport, Russia’s former president posted a message to his 1.4 million followers on X. “I’m looking forward to Russia being blamed for the Heathrow fire,” he wrote. “What are you waiting for, Starmer?”Dmitry Medvedev’s sarcasm was apposite.
A glimpse inside the government’s secretive crisis control room

2 weeks ago | observer.co.uk | Catherine Neilan

The SitCen team is working on a tool which will give officials access to real-time crisis data, such as public health risks. One thing they can't predict: human behaviour At 6:29am on a cloudy September morning in 2022, the last person in The Queue stepped through the entrance to Westminster Hall.
Think tank linked to Reform UK seeks money from US donors

1 month 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”.
Money trail leads through Carlton Club to Tories

1 month 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.
UK seeks to rearm by sidestepping the EU

1 month 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.
Public officials joining tech firms raise fears of unregulated ‘revolving door’

1 month 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.
Starmer’s spokesperson leaves after less than a year in No 10

1 month 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’.
Former MP offers to ‘shape policy’ for clients while accessing parliament

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

A former MP is promoting a consultancy that offers “direct access to key decision-makers” while using a parliamentary pass to meet senior shadow ministers, in an apparent breach of House of Commons rules. Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury for 27 years until losing his seat last July, set up the Theoc Consultancy within a month of the general election.