Sign in

David Leask

@leaskyd.bsky.social
2.5K followers 1.6K following 1.8K posts

Reporter, The Times/Sunday Times. Get me at david.leask@thetimes.co.uk.

PostsRepliesMedia
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I once read a Jeffrey Archer - about 30 years ago - and all I remember is thinking it was terrible but also reading it to the very last page. >>>>>My last lunch with Jeffrey Archer and how he changed my life www.thetimes.com/article/7b2a...
thetimes.com
My last lunch with Jeffrey Archer and how he changed my life
Fraser Nelson shares his tales of a writer who left him spellbound — and whose legacy runs far beyond the books he left behind
020
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Jeffrey Archer obituary: MP, peer and multimillion-selling author www.thetimes.com/article/edca...
thetimes.com
Verifying Device
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Russian scientist dies after ‘dropping test tube’ containing pneumonic plague www.thetimes.com/article/f813...
thetimes.com
Russian scientist dies after ‘dropping test tube’ containing pneumonic plague
Dozens of laboratory workers have been quarantined as Russian officials face accusations of withholding information about a suspected outbreak in Siberia
010
Reposted by David Leask
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Really keen to hear from people who want to holiday in Scotland but find it too expensive
145
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Why Trump thinks a retired teacher in Alaska is a plot to ruin his presidency www.thetimes.com/article/28e1...
thetimes.com
Why Trump thinks a retired teacher in Alaska is a plot to ruin his presidency
Dan Sullivan Jr is the man the president fears most in next month’s crucial midterm elections
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Really keen to hear from people who want to holiday in Scotland but find it too expensive
145
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In England this would be a criminal offence. In Scotland it soon will be. It’s certainly an actionable breach of journalistic ethics in most European rule-of-law democracies.
071
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Never underestimate the wisdom of a backbench sub. www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/...
heraldscotland.com
Formidable journalist who helped steer The Herald through turbulent times
‘A perfect example of what a good, experienced journalist should be’
000
Reposted by David Leask
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Hiya. Are you English? Fancy a holiday in Scotland? But can’t afford it? If so, I’d like to interview you for the Sunday Times.
014
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Hiya. Are you English? Fancy a holiday in Scotland? But can’t afford it? If so, I’d like to interview you for the Sunday Times.
014
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I do wonder what would happen to a legislator in a European democracy who behaved like this?
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In short, a Republican senator appears to imply that the federal prosecutor investigating Trump conspired with a local one doing the same in Atlanta. His evidence? That the fed had attended a sporting event in Atlanta. But the senator had mixed up the Atlanta Hawks with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
101
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
There is so much democratic backsliding in America…..but sometimes it’s worth just zooming in on one little episode to understand just how far US public life has degraded in the last few years. This is one of those times.
110
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Vanity. People who are, rightly or wrongly, scorned or ignored at home suddenly find they are indulged with long Tv interviews or fawned over at conferences. It feels good. Does it help their cause? Nah. But, as I say, it feels great.
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The tragedy that forced Serbia’s strongman to call elections www.thetimes.com/article/3c82...
thetimes.com
The tragedy that forced Serbia’s strongman to call elections
In 2024, 16 died when a station roof collapsed. Now voters have the chance to elect a government untainted by the corruption the disaster came to epitomise
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Why ‘London-style’ coffee shops are taking over in Paris (or the Bobos are switching to flat whites) www.thetimes.com/article/1afd...
thetimes.com
Why ‘London-style’ coffee shops are taking over in Paris
Sites offering menus in English and better brews are encroaching on traditional Paris cafés still serving the beverage known as ‘sock juice’
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Jet-powered drones hit Kyiv in deadly daytime attack www.thetimes.com/article/b71d...
thetimes.com
Jet-powered drones hit Kyiv in deadly daytime attack
The National Academy of Sciences was targeted on Monday by drones with Chinese-made engines that can fly at up to 500km/h and strike during the day
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I guess they would try and big up their guests however they can. But they used to be able to parade our recent German chancellors. A diplomat fired in a scandal more than 20 years ago is a tougher sell. And his language skills (he claims they are good) might not suggest deep knowledge of post-USSR.
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
thetimes.com
Scotch bottled in Russia puts Dewar’s reputation on the rocks
Bacardi, the owner of the historic Scottish brand, has been accused of ‘shamefully’ bolstering President Putin’s war budget by continuing to trade in Russia
096
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I don’t buy “Putin’s Russia is the USSR” patter but there is a century-long tradition of Kremlin authorities feting various relatively small anti-establishment figures in the West as if they were Nelson Mandelas. Angela Davis comes to mind. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_...
en.wikipedia.org
Angela Davis - Wikipedia
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
That’s not intended as a slight to Mr Murray. It’s just worth bearing in mind that not that long ago Kremlin and Kremlin media proxies were able to lure figures like Alex Salmond - before allegations about his personal conduct - into their fold. Now they’re stuck with Craig Murray & George Galloway.
200
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The blogger Craig Murray has popped up in Russia. What is actually most interesting about this story - in my personal view, FWIW - is that Putin’s mob can’t get anyone more credible or significant to attend their “do’s”. www.thetimes.com/article/9d44...
thetimes.com
Russia uses Swinney’s Celtic alliance to question future of UK
The Kremlin seized on the pact’s declaration that ‘Westminster’s time is coming to an end’ to cast doubt on Britain’s place on the UN security council
220
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Spaniards take to the street over eviction of 87-year-old www.thetimes.com/article/228e...
thetimes.com
Spaniards take to the street over eviction of 87-year-old
María del Carmen Abascal has become the face of Spain’s housing crisis after she was carried out of the Madrid flat she had called home since 1956
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If she ever moves to Scotland, Suella Braverman will quickly find out she is a “posh English wifie” whether she likes it or not.
051
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Send in the cavalry: inside the unit bringing horses back to battle www.thetimes.com/article/bb09...
thetimes.com
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Good work but it’s not true that only the NUJ can issue press cards in the UK.
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
White House launches Trump TV in response to broadcasters’ boycott www.thetimes.com/article/243e...
thetimes.com
Verifying Device
011
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
MP, knight, paedophile: the evil double life of Jeffrey Donaldson www.thetimes.com/article/82f8...
thetimes.com
Verifying Device
034
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hey, I’m no expert in Belarus or potash or anything else. But with potash subject to EU sanctions, how do you ship it? Via St Petersburg, weather permitting?
130
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
How do you get potash out of Belarus and into the US? Genuine question, please help.
110
Reposted by David Leask
Scott Nover @scottnover.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
BREAKING: TV pool will not be providing coverage of presidential events until further notice b/c of CNN's ban, pool chair and FOX News Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton said. It's effectively a boycott by the fellow members — ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
805149213699
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I didn’t know this till five minutes ago but German lifeboats under Hitler’s rule also rescued foreigners, including allied sailors and airmen, during World War Two.
021
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
During the last war - when a real invasion was feared - RNLI lifeboats picked up Germans from the seas. So, actually, did the Royal Navy.
141
Reposted by David Leask
Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The RNLI has said the abuse of volunteers in Portsmouth has forced it to close the lifeboat station there and stop operating since September 10. Nearby stations have been providing cover to the area instead. One of the UK's largest coastal cities without a lifeboat because of the far-right.
40900502
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
More lovely design work from The Times (and reporting too, of course) >>>> How 9/11 changed the world www.thetimes.com/article/685a...
thetimes.com
How 9/11 changed the world
The attacks came out of a blue sky, but the long shadows they cast have reshaped global politics and continue to darken the lives of millions
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I’ve tried the new plug-in solar panels — are they worth it? www.thetimes.com/article/21a1...
thetimes.com
I’ve tried the new plug-in solar panels — are they worth it?
They are bulky and there is admin to do before you buy one. But plug-in solar panels are simple to set up — and watching the results on an app is addictive
000
Reposted by David Leask
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
One of the weird consequences of the revamp of Glasgow. George Sq is the dragging up of some difficult but fascinating and largely forgotten world history. www.thetimes.com/article/bc53...
thetimes.com
232
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Wetherspoons has a potted history of Sir John that appears to confuse him with Welllington. I’m afraid they might not be a good source of info.
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Russell Findlay calls for crackdown on crooked lawyers www.thetimes.com/article/e70c...
thetimes.com
Russell Findlay calls for crackdown on crooked lawyers
White-collar professionals are supporting criminal networks ‘in plain sight’ while the SNP does nothing, the Scottish Conservatives’ leader has claimed
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
One of the weird consequences of the revamp of Glasgow. George Sq is the dragging up of some difficult but fascinating and largely forgotten world history. www.thetimes.com/article/bc53...
thetimes.com
232
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Thanks for flagging
000
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Javier Milei: Britain is in decline — we will prevail over Falklands www.thetimes.com/article/7fea...
thetimes.com
Javier Milei: Britain is in decline — we will prevail over Falklands
Argentina’s president claims he will sanction oil firms working off the islands and says Trump is considering ‘a change of position’
242
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Poland and Ukraine reopen old wounds that lay buried for 80 years www.thetimes.com/article/89ca...
thetimes.com
Poland and Ukraine reopen old wounds that lay buried for 80 years
The reburial of 55 Polish victims has fuelled a dispute over Ukrainian nationalist partisans, threatening to further damage relations between the allies
000
Reposted by David Leask
Keir Giles @keirgiles.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 (𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗹𝘆) - it's not just America's partners and allies that should be alarmed at how the Trump group is facilitating Russia's objectives globally. At home too, the administration is mimicking Russia in more ways than even many Americans realise. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
independent.co.uk
Why we need to start treating Trump’s America like Russia
Expansionist desires, aggressive military actions, and the consolidation of power in its internal affairs used to attack political enemies, Keir Giles explains how, while writing his new book, he came...
17296108
Reposted by David Leask
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
What’s behind record rise in sexual offending in Scotland? www.thetimes.com/article/c10b...
thetimes.com
What’s behind record rise in sexual offending in Scotland?
Official statistics reveal 16,500 crimes in a year, the highest since modern records began. A charity has delved into the details to understand why
113
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Are they American Bruces who think they are descendants of King Robert?
100
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
We made this straightforward story with a very different editorial software which means our artists can do some incredible things with design. Take a look. www.thetimes.com/article/f393...
thetimes.com
Verifying Device
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This is a serious question. I come across overconfident AI dads at least twice a day now. Don’t know how to respond to their weird confusions and non-sequiturs.
010
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
We all need to talk more about what we do now that AI has made dumb but confident men even more cocksure. How do we kindly tell these fellas that chatGPT has not suddenly improved their research skills or your reading comprehension?
230
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
We won’t be hearing the last of this story.
000