The Emoji Trial

Britain is moving in an alarmingly authoritarian direction. The farce that was the Emoji Trial poses serious questions about civil liberties in our nation, the competence of the Met & the CPS and who we send to parliament.

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Yesterday I spoke to Channel 4 News to talk about being a black woman in politics, the treatment of Diane Abbott, and asked why the whip has not been returned?

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'Labour's opportunistic sanctimony is difficult to stomach. This is the definition of instrumentalisation. Racism is not a game. When a party exploits it for its own political advantage, it cheapens the accusation and deepens the cynicism.' theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

This Diane Abbott story has made me feel so much anger. I don’t think we should be afraid to say it, I’m angry. Furious. This country disgusts me and Black people deserve better.

Diane Abbott has reported Frank Hester to police for saying 'he wants her shot' & 'she makes him hate all Black women'.
Recently a Black man was dragged to court and acquitted but lost his job because he sent a racoon emoji to a mixed-race man.
So we are watching developments 👀

Islamophobia in the UK has reached a fever pitch. Politicians double down on it because they know it resonates with a significant portion of the electorate. inews.co.uk/opinion/mps-kn…

After a lovely two and a bit years, last week I had my last day at i newspaper - I deeply enjoyed working with such a talented team. News on my next move imminently, but first some highlights:

My new BBC Sounds podcast is out today! It takes a close look at 🇬🇧British West African life today🧡 🇳🇬🇳🇪🇧🇫🇨🇻🇨🇮🇬🇲🇬🇭🇬🇳🇬🇼🇱🇷🇲🇱🇸🇳🇸🇱🇹🇬If you give it a listen🎧please do let me know what you think💫

Lee Anderson felt comfortable saying what he said because politicians and journalists pushed a deeply dangerous narrative that depicted peaceful protestors as violent mobs.

The dehumanisation of Muslims doesn’t occur in a vacuum; it is enabled by rhetoric from the top.

Such a great character, I say, such a great character.

#RIPJohnSavident

Opinion | Let’s hear it for the superfans – yes, even the Swifties

As the V&A seeks, a Taylor Swift superfan adviser, I think there’s something beautiful about the sense of community that belonging to fan groups brings

🖋️ Kuba Shand-Baptiste

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Opinion | Not even nostalgia could save The Body Shop

It’s a wonder, given the recent revival of 90s and Noughties beauty trends, that it couldn't survive

🖋 Kuba Shand-Baptiste

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“For how long shall we live like this?”

A resurgence of fighting in DR Congo has seen tens of thousands added to the nearly seven million who have been forced from their homes in the country because of multiple conflicts.

For more on the situation: bbc.in/3SFaaql

If you are someone agrees with the substance of what Rishi Sunak said, but feels he should have not said it in front of the mother of a murdered trans teenager, you should start asking searching questions about why you think it's ever acceptable to speak like this.

This report is true. I can confirm that Black journalists were excluded too. ⤵️

I actually completely understand someone doesn’t have to be the most vocally gifted and technically talented for their music to have sweeping popular appeal and connect but the Taylor Swift cultural dominance is just baffling

What we don't talk about when we talk about online harms and regulation: a lot of the harms attributed to digital SW and s3xual expression actually come from these groups. A fantastic investigation by NPR here.

Excl: Victor, a former TFL worker facing deportation, has been forced to sleep on London's streets this winter as Home Office has been accused of ignoring his visa application. He's unwell, suicidal and unsure of what to do. MTC Solicitors St Mungo's
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A former employee of WWE has sued founder Vince McMahon, alleging he abused and sexually exploited her when he was CEO of the wrestling-entertainment company — and that McMahon allegedly exploited her and trafficked her to other men “as a pawn to secure talent deals with…