Cat Neilan
@catneilan.bsky.social
Whitehall Editor for the Observer & chief investigative reporter for BBC R4's The Naked Week. Politics, investigations and taramasalata
Pinned
Cat Neilan
@catneilan.bsky.social
· May 29
Who Funds Reform? The Missing Millions
open.spotify.com
It's out! For weeks @poppybullard.bsky.social and I have been delving into the money - and money men - behind Reform
Finally we can share the first episode - a tie up between @theobserveruk.bsky.social and @therestpolitics.bsky.social - more to come soon
open.spotify.com/episode/2Vao...
Finally we can share the first episode - a tie up between @theobserveruk.bsky.social and @therestpolitics.bsky.social - more to come soon
open.spotify.com/episode/2Vao...
Interesting piece about growing unease over the repeat spoiler tactics Reform and the Tel have been taking over big stories.
Notable that Ben Riley Smith has criticised it, given that he was until fairly recently political editor of the Telegraph
Notable that Ben Riley Smith has criticised it, given that he was until fairly recently political editor of the Telegraph
NEW: Reform again accused of leaking the Telegraph a story it had been approached about by another outlet.
This “spoiler” tactic is causing concerns among some at the Tel.
Insiders say this isn’t fair - reporters didn’t know it was a spoiler.
Story:
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/s...
This “spoiler” tactic is causing concerns among some at the Tel.
Insiders say this isn’t fair - reporters didn’t know it was a spoiler.
Story:
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/s...
‘Significant unease’ at the Telegraph over Reform using outlet for ‘spoiler’ tactics
Recent instances of Nigel Farage’s party trying to gain sympathetic coverage leads to debate over reporting practices
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2026 at 6:59 AM
Interesting piece about growing unease over the repeat spoiler tactics Reform and the Tel have been taking over big stories.
Notable that Ben Riley Smith has criticised it, given that he was until fairly recently political editor of the Telegraph
Notable that Ben Riley Smith has criticised it, given that he was until fairly recently political editor of the Telegraph
When I went to Reform to ask why Tice had not declared his trip properly, Tice's response was to ask if I was antisemitic
This is a vindication of sorts (also for @garethceredig.bsky.social, and the Naked Week team who had to reassure me that I wasn't)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is a vindication of sorts (also for @garethceredig.bsky.social, and the Naked Week team who had to reassure me that I wasn't)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Richard Tice apologises for not declaring Israel trip during debate
The visit, funded by Reform Friends of Israel, was declared in his register of interests but not during the debate.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 15, 2026 at 11:51 AM
When I went to Reform to ask why Tice had not declared his trip properly, Tice's response was to ask if I was antisemitic
This is a vindication of sorts (also for @garethceredig.bsky.social, and the Naked Week team who had to reassure me that I wasn't)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is a vindication of sorts (also for @garethceredig.bsky.social, and the Naked Week team who had to reassure me that I wasn't)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
New Reform ad campaign, calling on Labour to rule out tax rises at the Budget next month. Seems likely there will be lots of these to come, petition after petition, building an ever bigger email list of potential supporters.
September 14, 2026 at 7:41 PM
New Reform ad campaign, calling on Labour to rule out tax rises at the Budget next month. Seems likely there will be lots of these to come, petition after petition, building an ever bigger email list of potential supporters.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
…CookCoins, sells them for a pound a throw to a pal occupying Crimea and - so long as I was willing to argue it was a commercial operation akin to other memecoins - I wouldn’t have to disclose the donors.
September 14, 2026 at 4:39 PM
…CookCoins, sells them for a pound a throw to a pal occupying Crimea and - so long as I was willing to argue it was a commercial operation akin to other memecoins - I wouldn’t have to disclose the donors.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Conversely: (b) we have already seen memecoins used to fund anti-democratic movements in the UK, and it’s not clear to me that a sale of a memecoin would count as a “donation” that requires registration rather than proceeds of the commercial activity of the party. So I could issue a billion…
September 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Conversely: (b) we have already seen memecoins used to fund anti-democratic movements in the UK, and it’s not clear to me that a sale of a memecoin would count as a “donation” that requires registration rather than proceeds of the commercial activity of the party. So I could issue a billion…
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Today I’ve written to the Electoral Commission asking them to investigate whether the recent donations to Reform UK are permissible.
More here ⬇️
More here ⬇️
Exclusive: Elections Watchdog Could Investigate Crypto Billionaires' £72m To Reform UK
Labour MP Phil Brickell has asked the Electoral Commission to clarify whether Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne’s donations are permissible.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
September 14, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Today I’ve written to the Electoral Commission asking them to investigate whether the recent donations to Reform UK are permissible.
More here ⬇️
More here ⬇️
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Reposted by Cat Neilan
You’ll never guess what the call to action is? Is it use their massive majority to? … no not that
September 12, 2026 at 4:49 PM
You’ll never guess what the call to action is? Is it use their massive majority to? … no not that
Have a feeling ministers are being awoken by the sound of a horse bolting
Party financing in this country is out of control
The government needs to act via the Representation of the People Bill to restrict spending limits and donations👇🏻
Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The government needs to act via the Representation of the People Bill to restrict spending limits and donations👇🏻
Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record
Cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne says he has matched a donation from Ben Delo announced late on Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 12, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Have a feeling ministers are being awoken by the sound of a horse bolting
As reported in @theobserveruk.bsky.social, Reform aides were briefing that the KC who advised that no laws were broken (described to me as "pre-eminent" in electoral law) would "reveal" themselves early this week.
Same aides have gone v quiet since
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Same aides have gone v quiet since
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
‘Farage has got to wake up and get rid of Zia Yusuf’: Ref...
Tensions with Reform’s home affairs spokesman, plus the expulsion of two senior advisers over another donations row, have created internal turmoil
observer.co.uk
September 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
As reported in @theobserveruk.bsky.social, Reform aides were briefing that the KC who advised that no laws were broken (described to me as "pre-eminent" in electoral law) would "reveal" themselves early this week.
Same aides have gone v quiet since
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Same aides have gone v quiet since
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Statement from Progressive Judaism leaders - Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky
“Holding an Israeli government accountable for its actions does not cause antisemitism. Antisemites cause antisemitism.
progressivejudaism.org.uk/rabbi-charle...
“Holding an Israeli government accountable for its actions does not cause antisemitism. Antisemites cause antisemitism.
progressivejudaism.org.uk/rabbi-charle...
Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy: No single response can speak for British Jews - The Movement for Progressive Judaism
As we approach the High Holy Days, we enter a season of teshuvah, of looking honestly at ourselves, taking responsibility and asking what must change. Yet there is a temptation, on days like these, to...
progressivejudaism.org.uk
September 9, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Statement from Progressive Judaism leaders - Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky
“Holding an Israeli government accountable for its actions does not cause antisemitism. Antisemites cause antisemitism.
progressivejudaism.org.uk/rabbi-charle...
“Holding an Israeli government accountable for its actions does not cause antisemitism. Antisemites cause antisemitism.
progressivejudaism.org.uk/rabbi-charle...
Reposted by Cat Neilan
September 9, 2026 at 5:55 AM
The 'Anyone but Zia' movement in Reform is building
Jenrick and Tice are said to have developed an unofficial alliance to prevent Yusuf from taking over if and when Farage steps down
“Rob knows he can’t win with the members, so he can’t go it alone, but Richard could have a chance."
Jenrick and Tice are said to have developed an unofficial alliance to prevent Yusuf from taking over if and when Farage steps down
“Rob knows he can’t win with the members, so he can’t go it alone, but Richard could have a chance."
‘Farage has got to wake up and get rid of Zia Yusuf’: Reform’s conference reveals deep party rifts
Tensions with Reform’s home affairs spokesman, plus the expulsion of two senior advisers over another donations row, have created internal turmoil
✍️ @catneilan.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4d18nGS
Tensions with Reform’s home affairs spokesman, plus the expulsion of two senior advisers over another donations row, have created internal turmoil
✍️ @catneilan.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4d18nGS
‘Farage has got to wake up and get rid of Zia Yusuf’: Ref...
Tensions with Reform’s home affairs spokesman, plus the expulsion of two senior advisers over another donations row, have created internal turmoil
bit.ly
September 7, 2026 at 7:01 AM
The 'Anyone but Zia' movement in Reform is building
Jenrick and Tice are said to have developed an unofficial alliance to prevent Yusuf from taking over if and when Farage steps down
“Rob knows he can’t win with the members, so he can’t go it alone, but Richard could have a chance."
Jenrick and Tice are said to have developed an unofficial alliance to prevent Yusuf from taking over if and when Farage steps down
“Rob knows he can’t win with the members, so he can’t go it alone, but Richard could have a chance."
Reposted by Cat Neilan
The AfD’s victory was principally a mobilisation surge. The extraordinary increase in turnout - from 60.3% to around 76.5% was overwhelmingly advantageous to the AfD. People who had withdrawn from politics did not return to defend the centre; they returned to punish it
September 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
The AfD’s victory was principally a mobilisation surge. The extraordinary increase in turnout - from 60.3% to around 76.5% was overwhelmingly advantageous to the AfD. People who had withdrawn from politics did not return to defend the centre; they returned to punish it
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Beautifully put, @catneilan.bsky.social:
"The party’s annual conference was not overshadowed by the latest money scandal: it was illuminated by it."
"The party’s annual conference was not overshadowed by the latest money scandal: it was illuminated by it."
‘Farage has got to wake up and get rid of Zia Yusuf’: Ref...
Tensions with Reform’s home affairs spokesman, plus the expulsion of two senior advisers over another donations row, have created internal turmoil
observer.co.uk
September 6, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Beautifully put, @catneilan.bsky.social:
"The party’s annual conference was not overshadowed by the latest money scandal: it was illuminated by it."
"The party’s annual conference was not overshadowed by the latest money scandal: it was illuminated by it."
Four protests and counting now disrupting Farage's speech...
September 4, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Four protests and counting now disrupting Farage's speech...
Farage draws the presser to a close after just five questions - BBC, ITV, GB, Telegraph and the Sun
In press conference at Reform party conference, Nigel Farage claims Dan Jukes had engaged in "loose pub talk", and that the reason C4N hasn't published the bleeped-out donor names is bc the donations didn't happen
September 4, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Farage draws the presser to a close after just five questions - BBC, ITV, GB, Telegraph and the Sun
Reposted by Cat Neilan
At the lunch, after they order the oysters, the american he meets 'from Wyoming' explains that he runs "an American family office", and that he hasn't "been able to donate directly". That he is not a permissible donor is plain to see.
September 4, 2026 at 1:42 PM
At the lunch, after they order the oysters, the american he meets 'from Wyoming' explains that he runs "an American family office", and that he hasn't "been able to donate directly". That he is not a permissible donor is plain to see.
Reposted by Cat Neilan
He made the statement it was above board rather than asked the question.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Two Reform officials step down after undercover report on party donations
Reform says Dan Jukes and James Orr have left their roles as it launches an investigation into the report.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 4, 2026 at 1:35 PM
He made the statement it was above board rather than asked the question.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In press conference at Reform party conference, Nigel Farage claims Dan Jukes had engaged in "loose pub talk", and that the reason C4N hasn't published the bleeped-out donor names is bc the donations didn't happen
September 4, 2026 at 1:24 PM
In press conference at Reform party conference, Nigel Farage claims Dan Jukes had engaged in "loose pub talk", and that the reason C4N hasn't published the bleeped-out donor names is bc the donations didn't happen
Incredible journalism with genuinely incredible results. Appears extremely serious on the face of it
Wow. Watch Channel 4 News now
Nigel Farage discussing elicit funding for reform U.K. from a foreign donor
All on secret camera
Nigel Farage discussing elicit funding for reform U.K. from a foreign donor
All on secret camera
September 3, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Incredible journalism with genuinely incredible results. Appears extremely serious on the face of it
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Wow. Watch Channel 4 News now
Nigel Farage discussing elicit funding for reform U.K. from a foreign donor
All on secret camera
Nigel Farage discussing elicit funding for reform U.K. from a foreign donor
All on secret camera
September 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Wow. Watch Channel 4 News now
Nigel Farage discussing elicit funding for reform U.K. from a foreign donor
All on secret camera
Nigel Farage discussing elicit funding for reform U.K. from a foreign donor
All on secret camera
Reposted by Cat Neilan
Labour seems quite slow on this (6pm last night). They do not know who their candidate is going to be - but should be confident they can get this open racism retracted
September 3, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Labour seems quite slow on this (6pm last night). They do not know who their candidate is going to be - but should be confident they can get this open racism retracted
Reposted by Cat Neilan
"Democracy for Sale will continue scrutinising money and influence in our politics, wherever we find it.
"Reform can stop us going to their conference. But Farage and his friends can’t stop our journalism."
New by me, on being banned by Reform
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ive-been-b...
"Reform can stop us going to their conference. But Farage and his friends can’t stop our journalism."
New by me, on being banned by Reform
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ive-been-b...
I’ve been banned by Reform. But this isn’t really about me.
My press accreditation for Reform’s conference was revoked. This should concern us all.
democracyforsale.substack.com
September 3, 2026 at 10:03 AM
"Democracy for Sale will continue scrutinising money and influence in our politics, wherever we find it.
"Reform can stop us going to their conference. But Farage and his friends can’t stop our journalism."
New by me, on being banned by Reform
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ive-been-b...
"Reform can stop us going to their conference. But Farage and his friends can’t stop our journalism."
New by me, on being banned by Reform
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ive-been-b...