CrispinJones

CrispinJones

@donethat2.bsky.social

It's quite simple, I'm right. The hard part is convincing my wife. I am a bit of a lefty and proud to be woke or even Woke. BTW I’m a Brit very concerned about the US

752 followers623 following1.1K posts

CrispinJones reposted

Oliver
@oliver48.bsky.social

Published 3 months ago: "One UK mosque attacked ‘every five days’, says British Muslim Trust" www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... But Labour decided to ignore Islamophobia focusing on ending far less prevalent antisemitism pleasing apartheid Israel the UK still arms allowing genocide to continue

theguardian.comOne UK mosque attacked ‘every five days’, says British Muslim TrustMore than 70 attacks have been recorded over past year, including acts of violence, property damage and vandalism

CrispinJones reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

CrispinJones reposted

Lynne #TaxTheRich #WelfareNotWarfare. Eco-Socialist. Pro-🇵🇸
@bebsdotteragain.bsky.social

Israel’s Delek Group is majority-owner of Aberdeen-based Ithaca Energy, holding 20% of the Rosebank oil field. The company is linked to Israeli settlement activities, while its subsidiary, Delek Israel, has also been reported to supply fuel to the Israeli military and police.

Danny E@dannyelectro.bsky.social

en.safa.news/post/6948/Re...

en.safa.newsReport: UK North Sea Oil Projects Could Benefit UN-Blacklisted Israeli CompanySafa - The British government is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to reapprove the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects in the North Sea, a move that has sparked criticism from huma

CrispinJones reposted

The Green Party of England & Wales
@greenparty.org.uk

The devastating consequences of climate breakdown are already here and the UN this week has warned that global warming will breach 1.5°C. Labour's response: pushing ahead with more fossil fuels by approving Jackdaw.

CrispinJones reposted

Barbara Cooney
@barbaracooney.bsky.social

We certainly know what Volker Turk, UN Head of Human Rights has thought about the proscription of Palestine Action from the start. Burnham has done nothing to change things except for the worse: Now adding censorship of authors to Starmer's suppression of civil rights. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

ohchr.orgUK: Palestine Action ban ‘disturbing’ misuse of UK counter-terrorism legislation, Türk warnsGENEVA – The UK Government’s decision to proscribe the ‘Palestine Action’ protest group under terrorism legislation raises serious concerns that counter-terrorism laws are being applied to conduct tha...
Lynne #TaxTheRich #WelfareNotWarfare. Eco-Socialist. Pro-🇵🇸@bebsdotteragain.bsky.social

Ever wondered what other countries make of our current “Terrorist” legislation? Turkish broadcasters are shocked by the arrests of protesters in U.K. youtu.be/kPueMSxS76Q?...

youtu.beWhy pro-Palestine protesters are being arrested under British terror lawsYouTube video by TRT World

CrispinJones reposted

Paul Eric
@pauleric70.bsky.social

passenger wearing a shirt that read “Israel Kills Children” was asked by the captain to change into a different shirt because it made his Israeli co-pilots uncomfortable. Offended by everything, ashamed of nothing.

CrispinJones reposted

Saul Staniforth
@saulstaniforth.bsky.social

Ranvir Singh this morning: "9 million people in the UK, I find it obscene, in 2026 are on the verge of or already using foodbanks" Meanwhile the richest 50 families have more wealth than half the population. The levels of inequality in this country are staggering.

CrispinJones reposted

Paul Eric
@pauleric70.bsky.social

“My Existence Is Antisemitic” Musa Ghanayem, a Palestinian Christian lawyer explains his very existence, grief, and anger are branded “antisemitic”, he exposes a brutal truth: in polite Western discourse, Palestinian lives aren’t debated, they’re denied.

CrispinJones reposted

Saul Staniforth
@saulstaniforth.bsky.social

"We're always.. told we're going to have to add to your bills to pay for them, but then they look at the profits that water companies make, or the dividends that are taken out of those companies to pay their shareholders.." Gareth Barlow sums up 35+ years of water privatisation

CrispinJones reposted

Owen Jones
@owenjones.bsky.social

Watched NAZA yesterday. At the end, there was total silence, other than the occasional sob. No one moved until the credits stopped rolling. It’s a film which the perpetrators of genocide confessed their crimes. One day that will happen from the dock.

CrispinJones reposted

Anti-Reform
@antireform.bsky.social

"After the ITV documentary can we get a petition going to arrest Farage and his cronies? If you or i had said 1% of what those racist toewrags said we would be behind bars" via Mike Barlow

CrispinJones reposted

Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social

Today's decision by Labour to approve new drilling in the North Sea is climate vandalism. It's a betrayal of all of our futures, and Labour has abandoned all credibility in the fight against climate change. This is a victory for Shell over the people. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...

bbc.co.ukUK government approves Jackdaw gas field, and says production will start this month - follow liveActivists say approving the gas field will raise carbon emissions - while the developers argue it is important for the UK’s energy security.

CrispinJones reposted

Davenant 📸
@marcdavenant.bsky.social

It’s come to something when a photographer has to get legal advice, before displaying this photo in an exhibition, due to the risk of being prosecuted as a terrorist, but that’s exactly what I had to do yesterday. What a state this country is in.

Davenant 📸@marcdavenant.bsky.social

A woman weeps over the genocide in Gaza as she waits to be arrested as a terrorist for holding up a piece of cardboard. Parliament Square today.

CrispinJones reposted

Prem Sikka
@premnsikka.bsky.social

UK govt can get information about your bank accounts if you get universal credit, pension credit, employment support allowance. Court order not needed. You won't be told, can't appeal. Same won't apply to enablers of illicit financial flows. No financial privacy for old, poor, sick, unfortunate.

independent.co.ukDWP reveals exact information banks have to share about benefit claimantsMore details have been shared on how the new powers work

CrispinJones reposted

Paul Eric
@pauleric70.bsky.social

Every night, Israeli soldiers fire bullets at the tents of displaced Palestinians for entertainment, and Palestinian civilians are killed day after day while sleeping inside their tents Tonight, an innocent little girl Misk Al-Dalo was killed,becoming yet another victim of Israeli brutality in Gaza

CrispinJones reposted

Prof Bill McGuire
@profbillmcguire.bsky.social

@andyburnham.bsky.social This makes a complete nonsense of opening up Jackdaw and Rosebank There is simply not one single reason why this would be a good thing NO MORE NORTH SEA OIL AND GAS www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.comHeat pumps and insulation would cut UK living costs more than new oilfields, study suggestsWarm homes plan would create 50,000 jobs, compared with about 1,100 for Rosebank oilfield, thinktank finds

CrispinJones reposted

Richard Burgon MP
@richardburgon.bsky.social

I've just signed the Palantir Pledge, joining politicians across the world in committing not to support any public contracts with this US tech giant. The next big battle here is to use the upcoming break clause to kick Palantir out of our NHS!

CrispinJones reposted

Paul Eric
@pauleric70.bsky.social

We a witnessing a new level of evil in Gaza. I would love to understand the real motivation that drives Israelis to such levels of barbarity...💔😢🤬🤬

CrispinJones reposted

Prem Sikka
@premnsikka.bsky.social

Water companies in England failed to report more than 50,000 sewage dumpings within the time required. Water companies routinely ignore laws, have 1,200+ criminal convictions, no exec prosecuted, no licence cancelled. Customers fleeced, human health damaged, environment harmed. Govts do nothing.

news.sky.comEngland's water companies failed to report more than 50,000 sewage spills in time, charity claimsAll nine of the country's suppliers failed to meet the legal reporting requirement of one hour, as more than 4,000 of the delayed reports affected designated bathing waters.

CrispinJones reposted

Defend Our Juries
@defendourjuries.bsky.social

Sally Rooney’s stand on Palestine is brave and humane, writes Zoe Williams The Normal People author’s determination to support Palestine Action, even if it means that her books are withdrawn from sale in the UK, makes a mockery of Britain’s terrorism laws. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/o...

theguardian.comSally Rooney’s stand on Palestine is brave and humaneThe Normal People author’s determination to support Palestine Action, even if it means that her books are withdrawn from sale in the UK makes a mockery of Britain’s terrorism laws

CrispinJones reposted

BladeoftheSun
@bladeofthes.bsky.social

BBC Question Time appearances Zarah Sultana 1 Jeremy Corbyn 1 Mick Lynch 1 - Nigel Farage 38 Very, very biased selection, even more than Fiona Bruce.

CrispinJones reposted

Defend Our Juries
@defendourjuries.bsky.social

BREAKING: @nujofficial.bsky.social writes to National Police Chief over Journalist arrests. The letter follows Leicester Police’s arrests of a number of journalists for reporting on a Defend Our Juries vigil outside an Elbit Systems factory in Leicester. www.middleeasteye.net/news/police-...

middleeasteye.netLeicester police ‘blanket arrest’ journalists under Terrorism Act for covering protest at Israeli drone factoryJournalists tell MEE that move has set a 'worrying precedent' and that they no longer ‘feel safe’ after reporting on Elbit protests

CrispinJones reposted

B heard media 💚🇵🇸
@bheardmedia.bsky.social

Labour's Foreign secretary Ed Miliband has delivered a shocking double whammy! Following the hottest global temperatures on record & the genocide in Palestine, Miliband has decided to sign off on a new oil field development near the Falkland Islands, with an Israeli oil company!

CrispinJones reposted

B heard media 💚🇵🇸
@bheardmedia.bsky.social

At #PMQs Andy Burnham ruled out a coalition with the Greens over its "Zionism is racism" motion He said: "It is antisemitic." Zack Polanski responsed: "I'm the only Jewish leader of a political party. "You're a Prime Minister who arms a genocide & locks pensioners up for opposing it."

CrispinJones reposted

BladeoftheSun
@bladeofthes.bsky.social

Jewish MP Gerald Kaufmann in Parliament in 2009. "My Grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came to her town, a German soldier shot her dead." "My Grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israel to murder Palestinian Grandmothers in Gaza."

CrispinJones reposted

Lynne #TaxTheRich #WelfareNotWarfare. Eco-Socialist. Pro-🇵🇸
@bebsdotteragain.bsky.social

Most western citizens don’t know a this story, about the founding of Zionist Israel and the background to Gaza…please watch! Israel is an illegal occupying force and Hamas were well within their rights (by international law) to break out of their “concentration” camp. youtu.be/9pY5waRJF-M?...

youtu.beWhy Hamas Really Attacked Israel on Oct. 7 | Episode 12YouTube video by John Mearsheimer - Offensive Realism

CrispinJones reposted

George Monbiot
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

Palantir didn't have to evade the UK's controls on lobbyists to get astonishing, unminuted access to government ministers and officials, or even to hire them to lobby their colleagues. Why not? Because there aren't any. My column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comPalantir is worming its way into the British state – it’s time to curb this controversial US company’s influence | George MonbiotTom Watson has said ‘mob rule’ must not decide public contracts. Perhaps he should take a look at his new employer, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot