JohnNicolson he/him

Far right #Bolsonaro supporters at the London polling station for today’s presidential elections. Many look very odd, screaming, some waving Israeli flags, some self identifying as crooks in striped tops & masks. God help #Brasil - and us all - if these disturbing people win.

Carnival atmosphere as Brazilians & allies turn out in droves to vote for #Lula - for #Brasil & for the world. 🇧🇷#LulaPresidente1️⃣3️⃣ #Lulapresidente2026

Today’s the day and I approve this message. #lula ❤️ #brazil ❤️ #Brasil ❤️ #LulaPresidente1️⃣3️⃣ ❤️#LulaPresidente2026 ❤️#GOSTOSOSCOMLULA 🇧🇷 ❤️

Grace & Karlito have a message! #Lula #Brasil

Early Christmas photo shoot at our house. Ho ho ho!

It’s my Dad’s birthday. He would have been 100. We lost him to lung cancer when he was 55 and I was 15. Although it was a life time ago I think of him every day. I so regret not knowing him as an adult. I’ve written about him here.

I’ll be joining @BBCRadioScot at 17.15 to talk about the management’s decision to close the @BBCScotland channel & imminent job losses. Tune in if you can.

Ever fancied one of these iconic @TomDixonStudio chaises longues? I’m selling my original 1990s Cappellini model @LyonandTurnbull ‘Modern Made’ auction on the 30th. As modelled at my house here by Joely Richardson.

Such a pleasure to be at #SNP26 in beautiful #Aberdeen Striking how many young people were there - post 2014 voters demanding their say on independence. And many, especially the cooler ones, with my mid 80s hair….. @theSNP

It’s terrifyingly close. Brazil’s future - and the Amazon’s - hangs in the balance. For all our sakes #Lula must win. #Brasil #Brazil #LulaTemOMaiorExércitoDoMundo

Powerful speeches on #Grangemouth and its future from Grangemouth delegate John Haston & from Scotland’s youngest councillor Josh Fyvie. #SNP26

Fun night with my beau at the #SkyArtsAwards Some incredible performances. Johnny Marr….

It’s #ComingOutDay2026 I came out publicly in my 30s in the 90s. There was no legal employment protection for gay men who did. I was all over the press as the first #LGBT network BBC presenter to come out. My BBC bosses were horrified.

Grace gets ready for the weekend. It’s #caturday !

Morning light in our Paris apartment. Jardin du Palais-Royal through the windows. Beautiful.

Sorry to learn of the death of Jeffrey Archer. I met him as a student. He bought art I recommended. He tried hard to persuade me to join the Labour Party. I interviewed him often. We shared many dinners. He was loud, gossipy, encouraging, engaging, and, beneath the bluster, kind.

Delighted to be joining the National Galleries trustees from Paris for my first trustees meeting.

My beringed beau.

Karlito yesterday on #Caturday He does wear a bow tie well.

Evening of #pachelbel & #vivaldi at the glorious @lamadeleineparis #baroque #paris

Morning light in our Paris apartment.

View from our Paris flat for the next week

Wee post swim Sunday lunch with my beau by the Aegean.

Sunday in the Cyclades.

“I’ve never met him” Nigel Farage said. #Reform

Landmark meeting in Cardiff today as the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales, and the north of Ireland chart a route out of the UK for their respective countries. Will be discussing tomorrow morning on @JeremyVineOn5 with @theJeremyVine - at around 09.30

Of course it might not have been the hat.

Impressive performance from the President of Ireland speaking truth to #Trump “I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.” She then sent him on his way.

For anyone on Insta I have a newish account (I’m locked out of the two ex parliamentary ones!) So feel free to give me a follow! @mrjohnmackenzienicolson is the Insta account name.

Truly terrifying. And it will be the ignorant and the poor who will suffer most - as in the States with Trump.

Not as Orange as he looks… “Donald #Trump says he would ‘love’ to see a united #Ireland “

I’ll be on @BBCRadioScot shortly talking about the #TwinTowers atrocities & being a journalist live on air as the attacks happened.

I will be talking about my memories of being on air covering these harrowing events later today on Radio Scotland Drive #NeverForget911 “Suddenly there was mayhem. One of the towers was on fire.”

Twenty five years ago this week I was on air for @BBCNews when the Twin Towers were struck. In the hours to follow I covered the most harrowing event of my career live on air. I wrote this for @guardian on the anniversary. #TwinTowers #NeverForget911 www.theguardian.com/world/2011/s...

Trump says he was rescued by firemen on September 11th. It’s a lie he has reoeated for decades. www.instagram.com/reel/DdDAhhy...

My beau has a new retro look.

You’d think the Germans might have learnt a thing or two from their recent history….

“There will be no downsides to #Brexit only upsides” Really? Meanwhile “Sweden confirms 458 Britons deported or forcibly removed since Brexit.”

Imagine wiping out a species?

Nine years ago today I introduced my Commons #TuringBill Its aim: to ‘pardon’ gay men found guilty of ‘crimes’ no longer on the statute book. The Tory Government promised support but then filibustered the bill to kill it off. Have a watch. m.youtube.com/watch?v=06Wi...

Four years ago today Facebook reminds me. My lovely constituency staff. @lynda_cllr absent from the photo. And dear Irene to my left now gone and much missed.

Twelve years ago today this went into the post. ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ Yes!

“Yes, I support gay marriage. They have every right to be as miserable as straight people." #DollyParton #lgbt

Warwick William Lendon. English. 1883 - 1971 ‘Anatole France’s Gardener. Anatole France 1844 – 1924 was a French poet, journalist, and novelist. Wee eBay find.

My beau a decade ago today. He doesn’t seem to age. ❤️

It’s #Caturday & Karl is cooling in the bird bath.

Jason Arday wasn't the first academic to be accused of plagiarism. But he was the first to be pursued & mocked relentlessly & for days on end by shameless, cruel hacks. As @SadiqKhan said: “a pernicious public shaming that other people in his position wouldn’t have faced.”

I’m so thrilled to become a trustee of @NatGalleriesSco not least since I’ve been collecting pictures since I was a wee boy. From car boot sales, markets, junk shops, and eBay - but mostly from Anita @GWauction

It’s #InternationalCatDay and here are the much adored rescue cats who’ve adopted us over the years. First came glamorous magazine cover cat Honky & Rory who loved flowers and disco dancing. Then our beloved, much missed Rojo, followed by wee Grace, and now our new kitten Karl.

I’m thrilled to have been appointed a trustee of the National Galleries @NatGalleriesSco With an extraordinary collection, and exciting future plans I can’t wait to get to work with Catherine Muirden and her team. Here’s a wee painting of RLS from the collection to celebrate!