‘For years the Observer tried to get to the truth of Russian interference until we sacked the reporter involved for participating in union activities’

It comes after years of cover-ups & denials not least from Boris Johnson who was in charge of MI6 as foreign minister at the time & whose first act as PM was to ennoble the Baron of Siberia. But it also went beyond Johnson & Starmer continued it too. We now finally need some sunlight. 2/

NEW: Prime Minister Andy Burnham finally breaks a decade of UK govt silence…& reveals there was ‘clear’ Russian interference in the Brexit vote. 1/

Frances Haugen: "The problem we're experiencing today is that we are missing an infrastructure of accountability."

Sarah Wynn-Williams once again was forced to sit in silence. If you're thinking of seeing The Social Reckoning this weekend (& you should!), there's no starker reminder of its authoritarian power than what it's doing to Sarah Wynn-Williams. And kudos to Frances Haugen for pointing it out. 5/

Yesterday, Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn Williams revealed that even though she sat in silence on stage at the Hay Festival with me & Tim Wu, Facebook sued her anyway. EVEN THOUGH SHE DIDN'T SAY A WORD!! 🤯 4/

But Meta is doing something even more outrageous. Remember this? When Sarah Wynn Williams was forced to sit in silence at the Hay Festival because of legal threats from FB? Well, there's an update. 3/

Last night, I hosted a panel after a screening of the movie which included Frances Haugen. She points out Sarah Wynn-Williams is the first Facebook whistleblower to be sued. "And because she can't speak out I will". Haugen says FB's "unique" pursuit of her means her allegations are "likely true" 2/

£10m would last less than a year at current burn rate. But the accounts also show revenue growth of 164%. Print circulation has dropped 21% since takeover & the number of digital subscribers is not disclosed. For the avoidance of doubt, I hope the Observer succeeds & thrives. 6/

The accounts note "contingent liabilities". Possibly connected to keeping reporters & photographers on continuous contracts over decades & not paying holiday pay or pensions? 5/

It's a little known fact revealed in last accounts that the Guardian lent Tortoise £2.7m in 2024 which then converted into shares. But he new investment will have significantly diluted its holding, likely below 5%. If so, it will have lost the power to veto a sale or to have buy back rights. 4/

The FT previously reported that the Scott Trust passed on the latest investment round but political donor Gary Lubner put in more money alongside Standard Investments. Under the very favourable terms of this deal, Lubner now owns a significant chunk of the business. 3/

NEW: The Observer has filed its year end accounts showing it took a convertible loan of £2.6m in May & then raised an additional £6.9m in August. The shares were priced at £1, down from £6.19 a year ago. 1/

“Stop accusing us of spying! We’ve been watching you!”