Sign in

Steve Goodrich

@stevejgoodrich.bsky.social
920 followers 623 following 257 posts

Head of Research and Investigations at Transparency International UK. Formerly at Electoral Commission. Following the money.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Rob Davies @byrobdavies.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Latest in a three-year-long seam of reporting by the Guardian, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the BBC and international media partners. The project, known as Cyprus Confidential, was co-led by the ICIJ and Paper-Trail Media, based on documents first shared by Distributed Denial of Secrets.
theguardian.com
Roman Abramovich aides falsified paperwork to disguise assets and dodge tax, records suggest
Accountancy firm Deloitte Cyprus among those that appear to have backdated records outlining the Russian billionaire’s assets
310161
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
the caption that tells you everything you need to know
26903390
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
That's public bodies failing to report on over a third of all procurements covered by this new law. We're calling on the UK Government's procurement authority to investigate, and take action to increase transparency.
000
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
🚨NEW ANALYSIS🚨 After the disaster of COVID, the Procurement Act was supposed to help the UK spend public money in a more open and accountable way. But new analysis has found that details of contracts worth £77.8bn+ remain hidden despite this new law 👇 www.transparency.org.uk/news/three-t...
transparency.org.uk
Three in ten public contracts still unpublished under new transparency law
Public bodies consistently failing to publish procurement contracts despite legal requirement
120
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🚨Louise Haigh agrees that mega donors with outsized influence are pernicious to democracy Yesterday at @ippr.org, Harry Quilter-Pinner rightly pointed out that big money corrupts UK politics regardless of where the money comes from. It's time for the Government to cap donations. Watch below ⤵️
01614
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🎬RETURNING STOLEN MONEY Millions of pounds of assets linked to corruption has been seized & recovered by UK authorities - so why hasn't it been returned to its victims? Our new research, Closing the Loop, identifies £64m of seized assets stuck in a policy grey area. Watch to learn more ⤵️
youtube.com
Stolen. Laundered. Recovered. Kept? Inside the UK's Asset Return Problem
YouTube video by Transparency International UK
075
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Gordon Brown adds his name to the growing list of former PMs and senior ministers calling for a cap on political donations, and reminds us that these proposals aren't new - it's just the context that's made everyone wake up again www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Big-money donations poison British politics. We can stop the mega-rich buying access and influence | Gordon Brown
I’ve seen how imbalances in campaign spending can distort democracy. The multi-million-pound gifts to Reform must act as a final wake-up call, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
000
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BREAKING: 80% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-8...
democracyforsale.substack.com
BREAKING: 80% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires
“If that isn't a massive corruption risk I don't know what is.”
011
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
🚨Surge in billionaire money in UK politics hits record high Reports today that two crypto-billionaires have pledged a combined £72million to Reform UK highlight the urgent need for a donations cap. Full statement below ⤵️
2917
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Have a feeling ministers are being awoken by the sound of a horse bolting
611534
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Quick poll: how many people out there have £100,000 to donate to a political party every year? Stella Creasy's donation cap amendment is very generous and reasonable. Parl should adopt it ASAP before this gets completely out of hand www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
static.klipy.com
John Travolta Confused: What Huh
ALT: John Travolta Confused: What Huh
040
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If the gov's task and finish group on mega donors is looking for a solution, Stella Creasy and @transparencyuk.bsky.social have an amendment oven ready that incl. all the mechanics of a universal donations cap. Nobody should be able to buy our democracy.
012
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Just going to re-up my previous analysis of the overseas donor cap just in case anyone forgot www.theguardian.com/politics/202... After 10yrs+ of pleading people to cap donations to stop our democracy being bought, the penny might finally have dropped.
theguardian.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
013
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
An outstanding piece of public interest journalism from Verbatim. Senior officials of a political party caught conspiring to facilitate illegal donations - a criminal offence. Another eg of how big money is corrupting politics, why ind media is so crucial, and why parl should cap donations.
022
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Orr looks particularly stupid here because what he's proposing is a criminal offence and for the police to investigate.
000
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
🆕 EP3: CAN BRITISH DEMOCRACY BE SAVED? Andy Burnham enters Downing Street inheriting a political funding problem his predecessor promised to tackle and didn't. Three months ago, he even backed a cap on donations himself. The final episode of our series w/ PeterGeoghegan is out now ⤵
youtu.be
Can British Democracy be Saved Before it's too late? | Pt. 3
YouTube video by Transparency International UK
079
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
🤣
010
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I thought your dad was the milkman?
110
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
1. Fruit is nature's candy 2. I see you've played knifey-spoony before 3. Just don't, just don't look, duh- duh, duh-duh, dum dum, duh-duh, dum 4. I ated the purple berries 5. Duff beer for me, Duff beer for you... Also: Who likes short shorts
010
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Great summary from Rob Davies @theguardian.com explaining how, a decade on from the Panama Papers, it's still almost impossible to get info on who owns companies in key UK Overseas Territories (esp the BVI). And yes, I am still waiting for a response from Tortola. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
‘A mockery’: how offshore tax havens are thwarting the UK’s transparency push
Critics say ownership registers are too costly and too complicated, scuppering attempts to expose alleged money laundering
044
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
🚨NEW OUT TODAY🚨 🎬Episode 1 of Going, going, almost gone: How big money is corrupting UK politics. Ft. @duncanhames.bsky.social @catneilan.bsky.social @oliverbullough.bsky.social @faizashaheen.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @suehawley.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn-G...
youtube.com
How big money is corrupting UK politics | Going, Going, Almost Gone, Ep. 1
YouTube video by Transparency International UK
1106
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
New: A business that made a six-figure donation to Reform UK received interest-free loans of £67m from unnamed “related companies” in the months before, raising questions about the possible origin of the funds. observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Reform given six-figure donation by firm that received £6...
Nigel Farage’s party is facing questions about the lack of transparency over £100,000 in funds donated by a management consultancy
741227614
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Anniversaries are seldom fun in my line of work, and this one is no exception: 3yrs since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu was arrested by the Azerbaijani authorities. We've had four Foreign Secretaries since then. I hope the new one will advocate for his release. www.transparency.org.uk/news/uk-anti...
transparency.org.uk
UK anti-corruption organisations call for release of LSE academic detained in Azerbaijan on anniversary of arrest
041
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🎥The Covid Inquiry report exposed the failures of the VIP lane for PPE contracts. Money was wasted and trust was broken in a time of critical need. It is imperative the current Government learns from these mistakes and takes steps to ensure this never happens again.
053
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Martin Rosenbaum @mrosenbaum.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Your chance to be the new Chair of the incoming Information Commission - apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9276
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk
Appointment details – Information Commission Chair – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK
013
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
COVID-19 INQUIRY: VIP LANE INCREASED "RISK OF ABUSE" £10 billion of public money was wasted and five years later, nobody has yet been held to account. It's critical the Government learn the lessons from this and go further to guard against the risk of corruption in future emergencies. More ⤵️
065
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
"Due to a gap in electoral law, Lowe does not have to declare where Restore Britain's £2.5 million startup cash came from." ✍️ @josiahmortimer.bsky.social and @mc00.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2026/07/10/w...
bylinetimes.com
Who Is Really Bankrolling Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain
Byline Times investigates the figures behind the Elon Musk-backed far-right rival to Nigel Farage's Reform UK
116343
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
The @gmb.org.uk letter to MPs says “Affiliation arrangements are also fundamentally different from political donations and should not be treated as though they are the same.” But NC71 exempts affiliation fees from the cap publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi... Not sure what the concern is.
000
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A quick reminder that there are yet to be any successful prosecutions under s.61 PPERA, only s.54(7) www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Here's the last, and so far only, prosecution to date www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl... Curious to see whether there's sufficient evidence to prove conspiracy.
theguardian.com
Police investigate £500,000 Reform donations from mother of fraudster who backed Farage
George Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, at centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donations
061
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This is one way we could change the way we do politics for the better. Even the lobbying industry agree, and other countries do this fairly well eg. Germany, Canada, US, Ireland. Over to you ministers... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
All lobbying should be publicly declared in transparency laws shake-up, watchdog says
Ethics and integrity commission chief says overhaul is crucial to help restore trust in standards
031
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Stella Creasy MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
No by election can hide the mess sorting out millionaires making of our politics their playground is causing - help close this loophole and ask your MP to co sign NC71 of the representation of the people bill to cap donations. Please share to spread the word!
79840
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
📜Amendments for the Representation of the People Bill your MP should sign-up to👇 - pre-candidacy donation controls (NC60) - permissibility of funds for new parties (NC61) - lower national spending limits (NC70) - universal donations cap (NC71) publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
010
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Contrary to what some claim, there is money in politics after all. And that's a big problem we need to confront. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Trump’s $2bn bonanza heralds the rise of political grifters across the west
With voters embracing leaders who brazenly monetise public office, experts say an ethical code is breaking down
000
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
I agree with @stellacreasy.bsky.social www.instagram.com/reel/DaYH96U...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
000
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Gov's overseas voter donor cap is: - overly complicated - designed to target one man and one party - fails to do that effectively - misses the point (that it's big donors generally, not just Harborne that are the problem) Cap all donations and then we're talking! observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Crypto billionaires face 12-month block on political dona...
New bill proposes restriction for overseas voters returning to the UK in bid to protect electoral system from potential foreign interference
143
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
📺Big money is corrupting UK politics. Mega donations are being used by the super rich to get power and influence, too often at the expense of the public interest. We were in Parliament today making the case that it's time for change. More below ⤵️
02120
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Why ministers' pledge to cap only overseas donations was futile, shortsighted and ineffective. Big money is the problem, not just Harborne. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
thetimes.com
Billionaire Reform UK supporter registers to vote in Britain
Christopher Harborne, the British-Thai cryptocurrency billionaire, who gave Nigel Farage a £5m gift, had his name restored to the electoral roll earlier this month
121
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
🔎 NEW: Almost 1 in 6 peers holds a paid political advisory role that carries a significant lobbying risk. The House of Lords is meant to be a place of independent scrutiny — not a network of political advisers for hire. Our investigation ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/house-l...
transparency.org.uk
The House of Lords has become a lobbying network for hire
Almost one in six peers holds a political advisory role that presents a significant lobbying risk
0811
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
🚨NEW from @transparencyuk.bsky.social Almost one in six peers holds a political advisory role that presents a significant lobbying risk 🔎 More details and recommendations for change 👇 www.transparency.org.uk/news/house-l...
transparency.org.uk
The House of Lords has become a lobbying network for hire
Almost one in six peers holds a political advisory role that presents a significant lobbying risk
065
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Most curious bit about this story is the location of Yuan Yihua's Nine Elm properties, directly overlooking the US Embassy www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-t... Perhaps coincidence or reflects his love of glass-bottomed pools.
occrp.org
U.K. Targets $68M in Properties Owned by China-Born Man with Multiple Citizenships
Britain's land registry shows requests for freezing order on luxury properties owned by Yuan Yihua, who holds so-called “golden passports” issued in return for investments in Cyprus, Cambodia and Vanu...
021
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Qs are: - is this happening? - if so, when? - how much is it worth? - who is it benefiting/making use of this benefit? - realistically, what can the EC do to stop a social media company if they are flagrantly breaking the law?
000
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
This is an important point concerning what seems the most impactful and low cost way for Musk to interfere on our democracy (at least for him) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques... Who needs to donate $100m in cash when you can rig your own algorithm for free?
questions-statements.parliament.uk
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
100
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
ICYMI FCA ceases activities of electronic payment systems provider, Euro Exchange Securities UK www.fca.org.uk/news/press-r... subject to an appeal hearing on 11 June. @transparencyuk.bsky.social raised concerns about owners of the company back in 2024 www.transparency.org.uk/sites/defaul...
011
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
🗣️"The lesson from this saga should be that open government in the first place serves the public better than belated dumps of data long after the event." @muteswann.bsky.social in the BBC on revelations Douglas Alexander failed to initially declare a meeting with Global Counsel. More below ⤵
bbc.co.uk
SNP demand probe into Alexander meeting with Mandelson's firm
Newly-released files confirm Douglas Alexander met with Global Counsel in summer 2024 but it was not publicly declared until earlier this year.
024
Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
61% of all political donations in the last quarter came from just 14 people Reform took in £9.3m from a handful of super rich donors British democracy is being bought. We urgently need action to take the money out of our politics
341120662
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Not because it'll advantage you, not because it'll hobble your opponents, but because you said you'd put the country before partisan interests, because you said you'd protect democracy, and because failing to act is undermining the public's belief that politics can act to serve the greater good.
0143
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I'll leave the partisan machinations to them but there is a clear point of principle here ministers should be following, and that the public support overwhelmingly: take big money out of politics.
1132
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I'm also not confident there'll be able to raise anywhere near that in 2029 given how unpopular they are presently, whereas Reform seem to have limitless amounts of money from their small number of v.wealthy benefactors i.e. the status quo doesn't even work in Labour's interest, so why keep it?
2142
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Reminder: 2024 election saw the most spent in modern history, with Labour alone raising and spending >£100m - an unprecedented amount. My personal view is they won bc they weren't the Tories, people wanted change, & they might as well have set £30m-50m cash on fire that they didn't need to spend.
1143
Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Suffice to say they can engage the electorate without being in hoc to millionaires. Some of them have done this for over 100 years without issue. Enough said. What the Labour logic does seem to be atm is that 'we won 2024 big with big money therefore we need big money to do again in 2029'.
192