Published in The Guardian (March 5th, 2012) The latest attempt to award a controversial $3m UNESCO prize given by Africa’s longest-ruling dictator has been jeopardised by the organisation’s own lawyers, […]
Africa / Libya
This grave desecration does not mean Libya is out of control
Originally posted in The Guardian (March 5th, 2012) The morning had been spent dodging Muammar Gaddafi’s security stooges and talking to activists planning the uprising that erupted days […]
Politics
Why Dave will miss this hawk in hippy’s clothing
Published in the Daily Mail (March 3rd, 2012) Last week in Downing Street there was a seminar on the future of cities. First a Danish architect spoke of […]
Syria / World
A brave reporter and her passion for speaking the truth
Published in the Daily Mail (February 23rd, 2012) The air was thick with tear gas, angry crowds confronted soldiers aiming bullets at their eyes, and motorcycle ambulances driven […]
Politics
Don’t let ministers treat London as their cash cow
Published in the London Evening Standard (February 20th, 2012) On one of those bitterly cold nights last month I chaired a discussion on national identity at the launch […]
Europe / Greece
Staring into the abyss
Published in the Daily Mail (February 18th, 2012) When Eleni Nikolaidou agreed to help a university research project, she was asked to plough through 6,000 newspapers from World […]
Aid
The aid business has grown fat. It’s time there was proper scrutiny
Published in The Spectator (February 18th, 2012) Such a simple question: should Oxfam spend a couple of hundred pounds a month opening up the swimming pool at its […]
Syria / World
The danger of us intervening in Syria’s bloodshed
Published in the London Evening Standard (February 13th, 2012) The scenes are unbearable. Children with their faces blown away, young men with legs severed, women bleeding slowly to […]
Police / Policy / Politics
This local shakeup will transform the political scene
Published in The Guardian (February 13th, 2012) Soon after becoming leader of Liverpool council two years ago, Joe Anderson flew to Shanghai to drum up investment. He aimed […]
Disability
Disabled are at the mercy of ministers and media
Published in the London Evening Standard (February 7th, 2012) What would you think if you heard the Home Office was colluding with newspapers to fuel hatred against gay […]
Arts / Books / Nigeria
Disorder, dereliction…and decency
Published in The Observer (January 29th, 2012) Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria by Noo Saro-Wira (Granta) Nigeria does not top many people’s lists of the ideal holiday […]