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David Sheppard

@oilsheppard.bsky.social
4.6K followers 566 following 89 posts

Financial Times Acting Whitehall Editor. Former FT Energy Editor, but still dabbles in what makes the world go round. Ex-Reuters.

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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I remember being driven once from Riyadh airport and it was utter chaos, with our driver mounting the pavement and leaning almost constantly on the horn to get through traffic. And my colleague just calmly remarked: “This is what happens when you don’t have an Esther Rantzen in society”. RIP
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Going to be hugely disappointed if the answer isn’t “don’t announce it until it’s a bit icy outside”.
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Pensions minister Torsten Bell not letting his beef with Jim Ratcliffe go, telling a fringe event at Labour’s conference: “I'll tell you what if I was if I was running Manchester United, I wouldn't be talking about anybody else being on the slide.”
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The US supplies about a third of the UK’s diesel exports. Despite this, the PM did not raise the issue of a potential diesel export ban with Trump when they had their first meeting in NYC on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter. ft.com/content/68173e… via @ft
ft.com
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Reform UK says it would halve size of civil service in radical overhaul www.ft.com/content/199d... via @ft
ft.com
Reform UK says it would halve size of civil service in radical overhaul
Rightwing anti-immigration party is warning mandarins that they are prepared to counter any ‘sabotage or resistance’
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Reform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her home www.ft.com/content/21aa... via @ft Me with @bondhack.ft.com
ft.com
Reform UK’s mega-donor backed a friend’s libel claim. Now he controls her home
Crypto billionaire Ben Delo loaned more than £300,000 to former academic Nina Power
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Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 05/09/2026
Plus, @georgewparker.bsky.social and Sam Fleming joined the pod fresh from their interview with Chx John Healey
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Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 05/09/2026
This ‘back to school week’ in Westminster has been so busy we’ve had to record *two* episodes of Political Fix! In the latest, we discuss Reform battling scandal - again - with @oilsheppard.bsky.social, who brought us the latest from their conference in B’ham open.spotify.com/episode/7M0Z...
open.spotify.com
Reform in hot water … again
Political Fix · Episode
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The Restore Britain backer who once gave money to the Lib Dems, and who never wants to be viewed as a "psycopath or a bully" ft.com/content/3d25... via @alphaville.ft.com Me with @rachel-rees.bsky.social
ft.com
The Restore Britain backer who once gave money to the Lib Dems
Entrepreneur Simon Galbraith’s gift to the far-right party has startled the tech start-up scene, with some saying it risks a ‘reverse Midas touch’
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
If you like arguing about Oxbridge, class, regionalism and alleged politically convenient truthiness - and your presence on this website suggests you probably do - then read on. as.ft.com/r/58f0f3fa-f... @rachel-rees.bsky.social
as.ft.com
UK education secretary accused of misleading claim about Oxford entry
Former Xaverian College pupils say Lucy Powell was not the ‘only one’ in her year to attend elite university
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Rachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Jeremy Clarkson now has the chance to do the funniest thing...
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Patrick Osgood @patrickosgood.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
He signed it in Versailles?
Garth Merenghi: I know writers who use subtext, and they're all cowards
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The Wapo algo has created the most Bluesky of stories
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Is there really a credible route for Andy Burnham? I can see a farcical route back - which I wouldn't rule out Labour embracing. But a credible one? Not so much.
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
One of the saddest post-pandemic/inflation surge/general malaise trends we’re still living through is the number of London restaurants no longer doing the free bread thing
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
FORE! A Russian businessman looked at buying a Lake District golf course that sits next to the rail line serving the UK's shipyard where the nuclear-power Aukus attacks submarines will be built. Then the FT started asking questions... www.ft.com/content/19a3...
ft.com
Russian oilman tried to buy land on railway to British nuclear site
Purchase of Lake District golf course collapsed this week after government officials and the FT raised questions over strategic location
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Won 21, drawn 7, lost 5 Hearts, Man City and Arsenal all with near identical results in their respective leagues this season, but only two sets of fans feeling kinda cursed right now
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Henry Foy @henryjfoy.ft.com · 01/04/2026
💥 Trump threatened to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine in order to pressure European Nato allies to join a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Nato’s Rutte warned capitals Trump was “rather hysterical” about their refusal w @lauramdubois.ft.com as.ft.com/r/d508debe-f...
as.ft.com
Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition
[FREE TO READ] Nato’s top official urged key alliance members to offer help to US to reopen key waterway
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s broker looked to buy a BlackRock defence fund before Iran attack The inquiry on behalf of the high-profile potential client was flagged internally at BlackRock, according to three people familiar with the matter www.ft.com/content/744e...
ft.com
Pete Hegseth’s broker looked to buy defence fund before Iran attack
Morgan Stanley wealth manager approached BlackRock about multimillion-dollar investment on behalf of US defence secretary
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Trump tells @edwardluce.bsky.social Nato faces a ‘very bad future’ if they don’t assist the US in Iran www.ft.com/content/1ca6...
ft.com
Donald Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran
US president tells the FT in an interview that China summit could be delayed
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Jamie Smyth @jamiesmythft.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
US intervention in oil futures would be a ‘biblical disaster’, CME chief Terry Duffy warns, amid speculation the Trump administration was considering the option as.ft.com/r/8cde746a-4... @financialtimes.com
as.ft.com
US intervention in oil futures would be ‘biblical disaster’, CME warns
[FREE TO READ] Terry Duffy says any attempt by the government to lower prices using derivatives market would erode confidence
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
I have no view on this beyond finding grown men saying they’re “excited” strangely nauseating.
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Oil just hit Mum and Dad seen dancing together in the kitchen. She’s glowing. He’s smiling for the first time in years. Kids confused.
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
The oil market thinks Trump just TACO’d (I’m less convinced, but let’s see) A $30 price swing in a day, helped by expectations of a big strategic oil stock release. Such larks. Oil tumbles to $90 as Trump says Iran war is ‘very complete’ www.ft.com/content/56dd... via @ft
ft.com
Middle East war live: Oil tumbles to $90 as Trump says Iran war is ‘very complete’
Brent benchmark had exceeded $119 in early action
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
For those who go to bed at a normal hour rather than watching Armageddon/a normal economic reaction to scarcity
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
At the risk of boring everyone,a little context. $100 oil in isolation isn’t that bad. It averaged around that level from 2011-2014 without severe economic ramifications*. It’s the pace of the rise that has people spooked. And not knowing where it might stop.
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Oil just hit Dad’s bought a convertible without telling Mum shortly after the open
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BBC Sport {bot} @bbcsport.xmirror.bot · 07/03/2026
"He always goes for the hug but she's sticking with the formalities!" 😅 A nice moment between Princess Anne and Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu 🤗
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Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Radical parties of the right and left in top two slots. Legacy parties getting only a third of the vote between them. A whole new world.
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 28/02/2026
American military assets in the region and Gulf oil supplies are vulnerable to retaliation and Israel is a renewed target. Read the FT's military briefing here: ft.trib.al/sJzNxc2
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Chris Cook @chriscook.news · 20/02/2026
one of the world's largest smuggling networks has accidentally exposed itself because of a stupid e-mail configuration blunder, which has revealed around 50 apparently unconnected companies are all sharing back-office functions: www.ft.com/content/4310...
ft.com
Email blunder exposes $90bn Russian oil smuggling ring
Apparent network of companies using same server includes little-known group that has become country’s largest oil exporter
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting (and dark horse contender Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who's not in cabinet) have now all also Tweeted or voiced support for Starmer. He's got a full house for the moment. Now to see if they all really mean it...
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Only three cabinet ministers have not Tweeted or put out a message of support for Starmer: Wes Streeting Shabana Mahmood Lisa Nandy (who is at the Winter Olympics) This could of course change, but it's where we're at just before 3:30pm
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
How Epstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian Osborne, a onetime PR man and adviser to David Cameron Epstein guided him in setting up Hedosophia (now one of UK’s most important start-up backers) and even appointed him to one of his own investment vehicles www.ft.com/content/8b04...
ft.com
Epstein propelled investment career of UK power broker Ian Osborne
Convicted sex offender helped establish tech fund Hedosophia after Osborne offered to help clean up Epstein’s image
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Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 06/02/2026
EXC: US State dept is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in UK/ Europe to amplify Washington’s policy stances and challenge perceived threats to free speech W/ @annasophiegross.bsky.social, @oilsheppard.bsky.social & Amy McKinnon as.ft.com/r/98452b33-5...
as.ft.com
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
[FREE TO READ] State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
If Trump has actually convinced India to stop buying Russian oil it’s potentially a very big deal. India was buying ~40% of Russian export volumes, and now the only remaining buyer of any significance is China. And Beijing just got huge pricing power and leverage www.ft.com/content/72f1...
ft.com
Trump says US to cut India tariffs after Modi agrees halt to Russian oil imports
President claims New Delhi will buy more than $500bn of American goods
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Is this the end of Epstein’s “best pal”? www.ft.com/content/608a... @pickardje.bsky.social
ft.com
How Peter Mandelson’s Jeffrey Epstein links were exposed
Documents disclosed on Friday revealed payments from disgraced financier to former power broker’s husband
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Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 26/01/2026
EXC: The multibillion-pound contract to build ‘Skynet 6’ next-gen military satellites is shaping up as key flashpoint in UK govt, as Trump’s threats to western allies are fuelling concern about London’s reliance on Washington for defence giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Trump threats fuel concern over UK reliance on US defence and military satellites
Contest between Airbus and Lockheed Martin to supply SkyNet 6 programme has become lightning rod for Whitehall debate
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Soumaya Keynes @soumayakeynes.ft.com · 10/01/2026
FT journos starter pack… go.bsky.app/FuqnwdD
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Tony Tassell @tonytassell.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Just a few more days left to apply for the Paul McLean graduate trainee programme at the FT. This is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring journalist job-boards.greenhouse.io/financialtim...
job-boards.greenhouse.io
Paul McClean Graduate Trainee
London
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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
It is, for once, all about oil.
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Cracking piece by Miles Johnson www.ft.com/content/d7f9...
ft.com
Inside the secret supply chain fuelling America’s wars
And what Will Somerindyke’s company, Regulus Global, means for the future of conflict
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
This could be messy. The state owned UK Atomic Energy Authority is in a joint venture with the organisation merging with Trump Media & Technology Group www.ft.com/content/1e05... @pickardje.bsky.social @oilsheppard.bsky.social
ft.com
Trump family deal with fusion energy firm adds to complicated UK-US ties
TAE Technologies has already agreed joint venture with UK government’s atomic laboratory
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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Shock. While No.10 quibbles, the threat grows and our ability to combat it remains diminished. But defence is apparently a 'top priority' for government....
ft.com
Defence spending plan delayed over Starmer concerns
New national armaments director insists the paper is in its ‘final stages’
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
UK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to Ukraine www.ft.com/content/7e90... via @ft
ft.com
UK bankers warn on plan to use Russian assets for loans to Ukraine
Lenders concerned they could be at significant risk of potential lawsuits from Moscow
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 05/12/2025
Just in: A new US national security strategy is calling for 'cultivating resistance' in Europe, warning that the continent is subverting democracy, blocking peace in Ukraine and facing 'civilisational erasure' from high migration and falling birth rates. on.ft.com/3Y7XP0G
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 05/12/2025
Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’ on.ft.com/44Sho0O
on.ft.com
Robert Jenrick: ‘I’m unashamedly provincial in my attitudes’
The UK shadow justice secretary on embracing populism, his political ambitions — and whether there will be an alliance with Reform
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David Sheppard @oilsheppard.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
The Guardian hates the new JPMorgan tower in NYC and has a litany of whinges. I think it looks great www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 02/12/2025
FT Exclusive: The Reform UK leader told donors he expects a deal or merger between his party and the Conservatives ahead of the next general election, suggesting he does not believe he can sweep to power alone. on.ft.com/44xlHi0
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Alan Smith @theboysmithy.ft.com · 26/11/2025
New: 'Shark's fin' chart reveals the uneven impact of 'fiscal drag', the stealth tax beloved of recent chancellors. Plus use our interactive calculator to see how fresh freezes announced by Rachel Reeves at todays Budget could affect you on.ft.com/3KqOYUL
A chart of the projected percentage point increase un share of income paid as income tax and national insurance from 2025/25 through to 2029/30. It whos that 'fiscal drag' is set to hit those at or near frozen personal tax thresholdsScreenshot of financial times fiscal drag calculator.
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