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John Wadham

@john-wadham.bsky.social
181 followers 227 following 15 posts

Human rights lawyer

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Reposted by John Wadham
Dr Susi Arnott @susiarnott.mastodon.green.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026
Jump to 28'40" to hear 3 minutes on #AI explaining its own confabulation to #ArmandoIanucci (and speculation as to whether that's just another fold of dishonesty:) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031vjy
bbc.co.uk
Strong Message Here - We Care, We Fight! (with Stewart Lee) - BBC Sounds
Is Ed Davey cut out for the attention economy? Armando and Stewart Lee have some tips.
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Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
For the first time ever in our country's history, a barrister is facing contempt proceedings over the content of their closing speech. It is seriously concerning and entirely disproportionate. Rajiv Menon KC is facing up to two years in prison for the way he defended his client.
Photo of Rajiv Menon KC which says: Prosecution of Palestine Action lawyer, Rajiv Menon KC, IS a serious threat to fair trial rights and the right to protest
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
A barrister represents his clients in court. Clients who are political dissidents. He now faces criminal prosecution for doing so. Not Turkey. Not Egypt. Not Russia. England. Astonishing, deeply disturbing, and part of a long slide towards authoritarianism. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Palestine Action barrister’s prosecution criticised as ‘chilling’
CBA chair says contempt charge over closing speech by Rajiv Menon KC has left lawyers fearful of doing their job
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
This is distinctly dangerous. Labour is officially stating that human rights are dependant upon which group you belong to, and I am not ignoring how they already do that for trans individuals. This absolutely undermines the very principle of human rights. That is one dangerous precedent to set. 4/
Restoring public confidence in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Article 8 by legislating to make it fit for modern migration challenges and aligning application in the UK with the European Court in Strasbourg, after a period when UK courts had expanded domestic interpretation of ECHR Article 8.
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Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The ECHR acts as a vital safety net and chipping away at the protection it offers jeopardises the legal framework that protects us all. Any potential incoming Prime Minister needs to think carefully about whether this is the foundation that they want to build on in Government.
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Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Article 8 (the right to a family life) is something that we all deserve – but also a right that is widely misunderstood. Restricting a judge's ability to consider the needs of a child won’t protect vulnerable children and will weaken human rights frameworks that protect us all.
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Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The proposed Immigration and Asylum Bill will change how our courts apply the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in deportation and immigration cases. This is concerning & could open the door to weakening human rights protections in the years to come. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Most asylum seekers rejected under tightened laws will remain in UK
Critics call proposed limits on asylum claims a ‘quick fix that will create long-term chaos’
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John Wadham @john-wadham.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Council of Europe draft Guidelines to improve media coverage of LGBTIQ issues in Europe. In order to inform and complement the research around these Guidelines, we kindly ask you to fill in a short (15 min.) survey: forms.office.com/e/jJur97KhGF .
forms.office.com
Microsoft Forms
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Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
It annoys me so so much when news articles report findings based on a published scientific paper (often open access these days) and don't include a link or reference to said paper.
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Unofficial BBC News NI @unofficialnewsni.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Irish government not cooperating on several legacy cases, committee hears [ From BBC News NI ]
bbc.com
Irish government not cooperating on several legacy cases, committee hears
BBC News - Northern Ireland
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Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Melanie Field, independent adviser on human rights on the problems with the EHRC “guidance” and what the EHRC commissioners need the do to put it right. LinkedIn article.
linkedin.com
Has the Equality and Human Rights Commission done its job?
The EHRC’s draft Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations Last November, I wrote on Linked In about my concerns that the EHRC’s draft Code of Practice submitted to government o...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Both the government and the Court of Appeal now treat protesters as terrorists and terrorists as protesters. It's hard to accept that a "Labour" government is imposing rightwing authoritarianism on the UK, but please read this column to see what's happening.+🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Belfast riots, Palestine Action protests. What is terrorism now – and why the hypocrisy? | George Monbiot
The right is obsessed with ‘two-tier policing’. This is indeed a two-tier government – but the real victims are progressives, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Ah yes, if only we knew the special stuff that only the government knows, we would agree with everything it does. Says every authoritarian state, everywhere.
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Shoaib M Khan @shoaibmkhan.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
The Court of Appeal's judgment upholding the ban on Palestine Action is at judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
judiciary.uk
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 12/06/2026
CBS News to hire Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips as global correspondent
theguardian.com
CBS News to hire Sky News presenter Trevor Phillips as global correspondent
British journalist to become one of most prominent appointments made by embattled editor-in-chief Bari Weiss CBS News is planning to hire the prominent British broadcaster Trevor Phillips, currently a Sunday morning presenter on Sky News, as a global affairs correspondent for the network, a significant hire for embattled top editor Bari Weiss. The network has not yet announced the appointment, which was first reported by Breaker, and a spokesperson declined comment when asked about it. Phillips did not respond to a Thursday morning message from the Guardian seeking comment. Continue reading...
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Velvet Glitterman @velvetglitterman.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Love the Q's but disappointed their only inclusion of trans men is "cis women will be confronted by the presence of trans men in their spaces." 1. It isn't true. Trans men are being barred from both spaces. 2. Trans men are ALSO at risk of violence/SA when ppl realise we're trans (links in comments)
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Sonia L @sonial77.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Here it is: open.substack.com/pub/thoughts...
open.substack.com
No, the UK government should not be following Trump's lead on refugees
Yesterday someone sent me this article and asked me to write a rebuttal, saying that this is “the sort of nonsense we ignore from random commentators but that is highly problematic from someone in his...
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The houses of ethnic minorities in Belfast didn’t ’go on fire’ last night - as my radio has told me - they were set alight
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Adil Ray @adilray.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
If Muslims or members of the Asian and Black community had set fire to white people’s homes with children running for their lives, do you think we would be discussing legitimate concerns or focussing on who radicalised them and ideological and contributing cultural factors?
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Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The Public Sector Equality Duty is a vital part of the Equality Act. It compels public bodies to respect our rights and enables us to seek justice when they get things wrong. Those calling to scrap it are not being honest with the public about what they stand to lose. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch calls for scrapping of legal equality duty
The Conservative leader says the rules have led to public bodies becoming "institutionally incompetent".
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Badenoch is not only confused, but profoundly ignorant. The Equality Act *does* have provisions on class - section 1 of the Act! www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/1... However govts - including the govt she was literally the *equalities minister* in!!! - have not applied this provision in England.
legislation.gov.uk
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
I'm sorry, but this level of stupidity is off the charts. Badenoch could have brought the socio-economic inequalities duty in the Act into force *when she was literally the equalities minister*. How do people like this get dressed in the morning? How do they remember to drink coffee, not bleach?
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Badenoch: "As it happens, the Equality Act does not protect class, so you would not be able to use it to for white working-class boys" Interviewer: "Labour [the govt] want to extend it so that it does cover class: Badenoch: "This is just going to complicate things further"
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Never change Kemi, never change.
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Chișinău Declaration risks weakening protections for migrants, undermines absolute prohibition of torture: UN experts www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
ohchr.org
Chișinău Declaration risks weakening protections for migrants, undermines absolute prohibition of torture: UN experts
GENEVA - UN experts* today expressed deep concern regarding the recently adopted Chișinău Declaration by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe introducing policy directions on migration ...
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
“In effort to fend off Reform” As a reason for public policy, this has to be the absolute worst. How much damage will politicians do to compete with Farage? Brexit, immigration, scrapping NetZero..the ECHR..the Equality Act… Stupid reasons to do stupid things. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Badenoch to vow to scrap public sector equality duty in effort to fend off Reform
In speech on Tuesday, Tory leader will claim obligation to consider equality being used to advance ‘divisive agendas’
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John Wadham @john-wadham.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
For more details see Blackstone's Guide to the Equality Act, chapter 8
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John Wadham @john-wadham.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The importance of the public sector equality duty www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/pub...
equalityhumanrights.com
Monitoring and enforcement | EHRC
How we assess public sector performance against the equality duty and more information about our enforcement powers.
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Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
If you’ve not seen, Badenoch is proposing to scrap the public sector equality duty. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Badenoch to vow to scrap public sector equality duty in effort to fend off Reform
In speech on Tuesday, Tory leader will claim obligation to consider equality being used to advance ‘divisive agendas’
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Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Kemi Badenoch on R4 is discussing the public sector equality duty almost entirely on the basis of race. But that’s just one of the elements it covers - also gender, disability, age etc etc. These seem to be getting forgotten.
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Sean Jones KC @seanjones.org · 09/06/2026
If white working class boys are discriminated against and being white is any material part of the reason for it, the Equality Act will be engaged.
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
"There are so many things that people are doing - with good intentions - but, actually the road to hell is paved with good intentions" "Good intentions are not enough: it is the outcome that matters" (That could be an argument for having the duty in law, rather than for not having a duty in law)
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Badenoch says that her approach to scrapping the equality duty would allow "common sense, not box-ticking", arguing that maintaining the Equality Act would continue to offer protection against discrimination.
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Leader of Opposition Kemi Badenoch proposes the repeal of the public sector equality duty, which requires public bodies to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equal opportunity & to foster good relations. She argues it promotes a 'dangerous & divisive' agenda. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
theguardian.com
Badenoch to vow to scrap public sector equality duty in effort to fend off Reform
In speech on Tuesday, Tory leader will claim obligation to consider equality being used to advance ‘divisive agendas’
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The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 07/06/2026
‘Campaigning till the end’: Paul May, who helped free the Birmingham Six, dies aged 74
irishtimes.com
‘Campaigning till the end’: Paul May, who helped free the Birmingham Six, dies aged 74
Over numerous years, May’s efforts helped liberate the Guilford Four and Maguire Seven among many others
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Liberty @libertyhq.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Despite widespread claims, leaving or weakening the European Convention on Human Rights would have no impact on reducing irregular migration. Instead, it risks weakening human rights for every person in the UK. Read our explainer blog: www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue…
libertyhumanrights.org.uk
What is the ECHR and why does it matter?
What is the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)? What would leaving the ECHR mean for the UK? Would leaving the ECHR solve immigration?
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 05/06/2026
Nearly 350,000 cohabiting couples call London home. I welcome the Justice Secretary's vital reforms to give greater financial security to cohabiting couples & domestic abuse survivors going through separation. These changes will give grieving and vulnerable Londoners much-needed housing security.
lbc.co.uk
Cohabiting couples and domestic abuse survivors to be given stronger rights under major reforms | LBC
The government will explore whether courts should give greater weight to the impact of domestic abuse when settling finances
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Andrea Egan UNISON General Secretary @andreaegangs.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The EHRC Guidance on single-sex spaces is unjust and unworkable. That's why UNISON are demanding MPs stand with trans and non-binary workers and oppose the guidance.
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
So the police force accused by Nigel Farage of "anti-white racism" is over five times more likely to target black people for stop and searches than white people The figure is higher than the average for England and has got worse over recent years www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Nowak murder: police accused of ‘anti-white bias’ five times more likely to stop black people
Hampshire force whose officers responded to the murder of 18-year-old has a higher than average racial disparity
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
For a better analysis of the ruling itself and implications, especially from a legal, rather than in my case rights based policy, angle, I do highly recommend taking the time to watch @droliverlewis.bsky.social video on it below 👇 6/ bsky.app/profile/drol...
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Patrick Corrigan @patrick-corrigan.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Police Ombudsman ‘blocking’ own report into Martin O’Hagan murder The murder of journalist Martin O’Hagan casts a long shadow on press freedom in Northern Ireland. No more delay. The Police Ombudsman’s report must be published now - the O’Hagan family has been waiting too long.
Irish News article: Police Ombudsman ‘blocking’ own report into Martin O’Hagan murder
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edeath @edithcharles.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
As usual after a UK Supreme Court ruling, domestic abusers nationwide are cheering. This is an activist court with an illegitimate right wing agenda which urgently needs to be investigated and brought to heel.
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
The UK Supreme Court has abolished the ‘acid test’ to see if a disabled person is deprived of their liberty. Here’s a short video explainer www.youtube.com/watch?v=bojH...
youtube.com
UK Supreme Court abolishes the 'acid test'
YouTube video by Oliver Lewis
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Gàidheal Gèidh @grumps2772.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Brighton & Hove council leader, Bella Sankey, raises concerns over EHRC guidance on single-sex spaces www.scenemag.co.uk/brighton-hov...
scenemag.co.uk
Brighton & Hove council leader, Bella Sankey, raises concerns over EHRC guidance on single-sex spaces
The leader of Brighton & Hove City Council has raised concerns about new guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on single-sex spaces, warning it could create uncertainty fo...
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Rob Mullins @robertmullins.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I posted this on LinkedIn, partly because I have students on there that aren't on here and I wanted them to see it. I'm going to try to post less about this and be more useful to the world. I'll stay on here, because I learn so much from you all.
I was deeply saddened to see the content of the EHRC's revised code of practice, which the equalities minister laid before Parliament last week. 

A few months ago I wrote the below blog post for the UKCLA, arguing against the EHRC's interpretation of the code. As with all blog posts, my arguments were abbreviated and there are points that I would already frame differently. But I am proud of writing it. 

https://lnkd.in/gjDAhQCA  

There are many things wrong with the code, but I will mention just one. In FWS the Supreme Court acknowledged that trans men and women can be the victims of sex discrimination and harassment in their acquired sex. It is incoherent and unprincipled to interpret the Equality Act as recognising that trans women can be the victims of misogynist harassment and violence, while also prohibiting them from receiving services that allow them the care and companionship of other women with similar experiences.

I also want to express my concerns about the changing environment for students at British universities. I feel a duty to speak out on this on behalf of my own trans, non-binary and intersex students. Some of them would no doubt have considered travelling to the UK for postgraduate studies. I fear that many of them will now have to add the UK to a growing list of countries where they will be excluded and stigmatised for living as they always have. 

It should go without saying, but I write this on my own behalf and not on behalf of my employer.
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism. The government has no mandate to restrict it - a move which will put us on a path toward authoritarian justice. youtu.be/x6NIiM9G5ag?...
youtu.be
🚨KEIR STARMER IS SPEARHEADING ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING ATTACKS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES IN MODERN TIMES
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
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John Wadham @john-wadham.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
A great book by Paddy Hillyard and well worth reading.
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 21/05/2026
The Minister has confirmed that she has laid the new Code of Practice. But the Code itself has not yet been published for members of the public to view. We are watching closely and will have more analysis once we have seen it.
Written Statement from Bridget PhillipsonWritten Statement from Bridget Phillipson
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Good Law Project @goodlawproject.org · 21/05/2026
The EHRC’S new code has been published. We’ll have a detailed analysis out shortly. The guidance has been toned down from the previous draft – but it still treats trans people like they’re a third sex. This pushes trans people out of public life and violates their human rights.
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Gendered Intelligence @genderedintelligence.co.uk · 21/05/2026
The amended EHRC Code of Practice has been released. Lots of people will make claims about what is and isn’t going to happen as a result, and there will be many different interpretations of the Code in the next few days. We urge everyone not to jump to conclusions.
The amended EHRC Code of Practice has been released today.  
This is a document that interprets the Equality Act. It has been revised since last summer, following the judgement in For Women Scot v Scottish Government. 
We know that the first draft of the new Code of Practice was cruel, inhumane, and discriminatory towards trans people. 
We campaigned for that draft to be rejected and demanded that any new version should be one that fully considered and guaranteed the human rights of all trans...Trans people deserve the same treatment as everyone else, and a Code that cheapens or weakens our rights and protections makes a mockery of the Equality Act and the principles it was built on. 
The revised Code will now be laid before Parliament for 40 days, after which it is almost certain to become law. 
Lots of people will make claims about what is and isn’t going to happen as a result, and there will be many different interpretations of the Code in the next few days...
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