I think you've nailed it John...
Welsh/Cymro, Barrister, occasional contributor to Byline Times; author of Whatever Happened To Billy Parks? (Winner of the Jerwood Prize 2014) + Confessions of a Barrister, also enthusiastic rugby coach and collector of vinyl records - what’s not to like!
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I think you've nailed it John...
Feels like the flag debate has been kicking around my whole life and it still boils down to: Civic institutions should fly the flag routinely. Sporting occasions and national events, sure get it out. Year round flag on your house, bit weird, trashy. Doing it to "intimidate the forrins", obvs bad
I fear that the greatest contributor to anti-semitism is now actually the state of Israel.
That is sooo true. As a criminal barrister, and I know that it is wrong to stereotype and generalise, but... 'giving the Mrs a bit of a smack' is sadly often accompanied with a tendency towards racist political views.
First they lied about the EU, and we stood back and let them; Next they lied about the Refugee Convention and got away with it; Then they lied about the ECHR, and we said little because it was too much like hard work; Finally they'll lie about the courts and democracy and by then, it's too late.
Irony Wezie, irony…
I despair.
Won't it be wonderful when we discover that Autism is primarily caused by living in a state with a Democrat governor and that the only cure is bringing in the National Guard.
Yep - 40 minutes of some bell-end repeating phrases such as 'when Nigel is Prime Minister' and 'Afghans of fighting age...'
If someone is willing to go the trouble to shin up a lamppost and wrap a flag of St George around it, perhaps they could also go to the trouble of spending a few minutes educating themselves on the global socio-economics and geo-politics that has led to world wide movement of people.
It's heartbreaking that a bunch of charlatans who took up politics because they were scared of being made to pay tax on overseas assets by the EU are now potentially going to have a say in the lives of those fleeing torture, famine, destitution and war.
It's heartbreaking that a bunch of charlatans who took up politics because they were scared of being made to pay tax on overseas assets by the EU are now potentially going to have a say in the lives of those fleeing torture, famine, destitution and war.
No, he’s not giving Putin Alaska, but he is giving Putin a huge gift: the legitimacy of touching down on US soil at the invitation of a US president. A reward for the full-scale invasion of a sovereign, democratic country that the United States and its European allies support.
If Trump tries to fire Jerome Powell, every single headline must make this clear: He legally can’t do that. What he is doing is staging a massive, authoritarian power grab over America’s financial system. This isn’t just overreach — it’s a financial coup d’état.
😍
I've tried to take the heat out of this... it's about time that those with a bigger platform than I have, did the same...
I've tried to take the heat out of this... it's about time that those with a bigger platform than I have, did the same...
🔴Lucy Connolly, Bob Vylan and the False Claims of a ‘Two Tier Justice System’ Attempts to claim that the treatment of Lucy Connolly and Bob Vylan in any way demonstrate a “two tier” justice system are completely wide of the mark, argues barrister Gareth Roberts bylinetimes.com/2025/07/02/l...
...and, finally, a sane look at the Bob Vylan controversy
Wrote this for @bylinetimes.bsky.social - Lucy Connolly, Bob Vylan and the False Claims of a 'Two Tier Justice System' – Byline Times bylinetimes.com/2025/07/02/l...
Well, if it's any consolation mate - I went out for lunch and listened to Part 2 of your Fairport Convention episode... and, after 20 minutes or so, I am now better informed about and thoroughly entertained... Long may you strive towards 500!
I think this is a very powerful statement by Bob Vylan.
Bob Vylan statement on the fallout from their Glastonbury performance On point and should put all the monetised right wing shitpilots to shame… sadly they don’t do shame #FreePalestine
trickle down economics trickle down economic trickle down economi trickle down econom trickle down econo trickle down econ trickle down eco trickle down ec trickle down e trickle down trickle dow trickle do trickle d trickle trickl trick
Which one of these people is actively pursuing a policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing? I'll give you a clue: he's the one who is still welcome on to the BBC?
Mike, in a law court, if a jury or judge are deliberately misled by Counsel, then there is an automatic right of appeal and the matter will be heard again - the 2016 referendum was an exercise in the deliberate and dishonest manipulation of the UK people - the people need to vote again.
Apparently he thinks that Brexit, Sovereignty and the Family Unit, are what politics are all about - how I'd love to cross-examine him on that statement...
Never forget: Reform has grown from a party that was set up by rich men with the express intention of opposing changes to the off-shore tax laws that were proposed by the EU. The idea that they have any clue about ordinary people is plain bollocks. Don't be conned twice.
Eat your heart out Bumrah, here's my mother in-law, 82 year old Sheila bowling from the Shed End at her house with a very similar action!
This is Tub and Blue. They simply cannot figure out how to get their tennis ball that fell in the pool. Still 12/10 because they really are trying
What courage these people have, they are incredibly resilient.
This is the epitome of bone-headed stupidity, it's as though, someone's gone, I know Wales once had coal mines, let's bang on about that, and see how it goes down.
It's like he's a specially designed ultra extreme moron that has just been unleashed on the world.
The words of a man desperately trying to stir up hate and division and mangling the English language at the same time.
There’s not a lawyer alive who hasn’t made a fatuous argument before a court.
Reform UK #WackyRacists
Not really... it's not how it works.
No... if they were reputable lawyers, and I assume they were, then they will have advised as to the strengths and weaknesses of the case - but, still ultimately, they have to act upon instructions, which is down to the (daft) parents.
Please don't have a go at lawyers - we only do as we're instructed. If we have a system of law, then there will always be lawyers, and I'd rather have a robust and fair legal and judicial system that is respected than the alternative, which is an authoritarian system where the strongest prevail.
It's truly terrifying and without doubt, the Netanyahu regime is doing all it can to escalate the conflict and 'cleanse' Gaza of Palestinians. It is not anti-semitic to call a man a fascists if he is a fascist.
I think that this rather portly lunatic hasn't really grasped the concept of policing by consent.
21 Year Marine Corps Infantry Combat Veteran.
Isn't that exactly what he's doing. The whole thing is orchestrated.
Imagine any other politician, let alone POTUS being so puerile that they deliberately misspell the name of an elected Governor of a US State to make 'Newscum' out of Newsom. It's unbelievable: America, we've stopped laughing at you, and we're now phoning offering support and shoulder to cry on.
Yep, every step towards authoritarianism that Trump takes just makes violent dissent and the possibility of civil war ever more likely. And just saying that sounds bonkers - imagine someone saying that with a straight face even 5 years ago.
Today I look at America, one of the countries I dreamt about visiting and viewed with awe when I was growing up, as a failed state.
This is one impressive hound.
For Reals
Jenrick and his ilk, claim to stand up for 'British values' - whatever they are, I'm pretty confident that they are underpinned by a judicial system where every individual has the right to the lawyer of their choice and every lawyer abides by the process and does their job.
Happy Sunday my Friends! I Hope You Have An Amazing Day!
Walking along the banks of the Thames and I've just stumbled on the opening and closing shot of an unwritten rockumentary.
Question for my American friends on here: I’m travelling to New York on sunday with my wife to celebrate our wedding anniversary, should I delete my social media? I mean, ending up in El Salvador in a pair of freshly cleaned white underpants as my friends beg for my release, is not on my itinerary.
Sadly, he's not alone, there are a few who've gone on that journey.
This is unbelievable - it's the equivalent of a Foreign Secretary not knowing what the United Nations is, or a Chancellor being clueless as to the importance of the FTSE 100.
For those of us in America......that actually READ some of the books they want destroyed......
Sarah Montague attempts to interview the fascist Sebastian Gorka on BBC's World at One, is one of the vilest things I've ever heard - he was boorish, offensive and stupid, epitomising everything that any decent person would hate about Trump and his cronies. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/senior...
I'm a Labour member, I campaigned for the Labour Party at the last election, I did not campaign for a government that would pander to Reform and perpetuate the myth that all immigration is culturally and economically bad.
@welshrugbyunion.bsky.social It's very difficult not to be disappointed with the selection of only 2 Welshmen for the Lions tour of Australia, not so much that there was a compelling case for those who weren't selected, more that it reflects where the game in Wales now is.
As a Welshman, I entirely agree - though I may not riot.
So true... what are you predicting?
Discovered your podcast today Gents - can I congratulate you... it's excellent, really top analysis and well presented. See you Australia.
My plea to Labour: resist the temptation to be ‘Continuity Reform’ and go back to your roots of empathy, redistribution from strong to weak, collective action and fairness. Trying to be Farage MkII will just lead to oblivion. #Runcornbyelection
I agree Mike - the howling, braying, Brexit mob vehemently objecting to allowing young people the right to move and better themselves is one of the saddest and weirdest aspects of modern politics.
Not many in the Labour Party who would oppose rejoining the EU; keep pressure on Labour by all means, but campaigning against Labour is counter-productive for those who genuinely want to see us rejoin as only Labour can deliver that.
Our lives, country and world in general would be so much less chaotic and scary if Kamala Harris was celebrating one hundred days as our president instead right now. 💙
Yep totally agree. Farage's constant attempts to make people scared of other people is contemptuous. We are all of us human beings, first and foremost, we don't cease to human beings just because we've moved across a border.
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Only 5! What's wrong with you... personally, I've conclude multiple deals, solved the Middle East crisis, brought a lasting peace deal to the Ukraine/Russia 'war' and saved my country millions of pounds through my own BEAUTIFUL GENIUS!!!
I see what you've done there! 😂
People are not born 'immigrants' they are, first and foremost, human beings, deserving of the same respect as everyone else; and that starts by allowing every immigrant the right to due process of law.
Ready to go in LL11 💪 Be loud and proud, Reds - your support is invaluable 👊 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC
I hope your wrong Blue... but I fear the worst.
Those questioning the way in which the judge acted, are missing the point - once the state feels it can arrest judges for acting in a way that is at odds with their ideological programme then it is taking a big step towards totalitarianism.
The TRUMP DIARIES! By Donald Trump aged 78 and a half 'Woke UP! Played 18 holes of GOLF! Won a very big COMPETITION. Then made 200 Trade Deals.'
No need, actually…👇 The. Facts. Speak. For. Themselves. ✨
This... just this!
For anyone worried that they’re missing clever and insightful content on Twitter or X or whatever it’s now called, here’s the latest nonsense from the mind-numbingly stupid Darren Grimes…
My favorite sign so far. More later when I get home and can edit. #handsoff #nokings
I couldn't help but notice that J Cadger aged 9 from Edinburgh, put Welshman John Roberts in his 'ENGLISH' finds of the season XI... I will find you J Cadger aged 9, oh yes, I will hunt you down!
Here’s my Bylines starter pack. This is the full Bylines Network, plus Byline Times and other public good investigative press (Declassified, Desmog, openDemocracy…) Please follow & share. go.bsky.app/RWVEKv
In case you missed it ... When we were in the EU, there were signs all over the place showing how the EU was investing in our towns and regions. And best of all, EU funding was shared out EQUALLY and FAIRLY across all parts of the UK, regardless of which party was in power. #RejoinEU 🇬🇧🇪🇺
This is how fascism creeps from the stuff of nightmares and into the mainstream...
The people on the left are desperate to get a job and contribute to the U.K., the people on the right are desperate to take our jobs and destroy the UK. If you are more scared of the people on the left than the right you need to have a long hard think about things.
War hero schools a chickenhawk.
Mate, it's dodgier than one of my submissions about S.41!
This is just incredible. It does as Rick says, tell you everything.
Well, there is this.
What a superbly written piece… I mean that objectively, that was up there with the greats in terms of the writing and analysis.
Come on the Town!!!!
So, let me make sure I've got this right, the only 2 countries that Trump has not imposed tariffs on are Russia and North Korea? What the actual fuck is going on in the USA? #Tariffs #Trump
100% Ed! And good to see you leading on this my friend! I get Starmer's reticence, but you and your party are treading the perfect line perfectly. (and I hope you're well!)
That's nothing, I flounced off twitter, X, whatever, in...well.. in a flouncy way... at least 5 people noticed. (I may be exaggerating that number)
So, let me make sure I've got this right, the only 2 countries that Trump has not imposed tariffs on are Russia and North Korea? What the actual fuck is going on in the USA? #Tariffs #Trump
In law if there is compelling new evidence, then you can use it to form the basis of an appeal against a dodgy conviction - Brexit is the political equivalent of a dodgy conviction, and the compelling new evidence of US Tariffs, mean we must now revisit the whole issue of our trade with the EU.
Just to be clear, the benefits of a UK trade deal with the US would be trivial compared to the benefits of removing trade barriers with our European allies.(Based on government figures.) Post Trump #tariffs, this will hold, because the UK exports much more to the EU than the US.
Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford on her victory, and to the people of Wisconsin for electing a judge who believes in the rule of law and protecting our freedoms.
Given the fact that the President of the USA is currently engaged in systematically destroying our economy, can there be any justification whatsoever for granting him a State Visit of the UK? #Stopthestatevisit #Trump
I’m saving Musk. The 2 of us will then continue to Greenland where we will fight bare chested in the traditional Greenlandic way using only wet fish and the thigh bone of a polar bear as weapons. I’ve thought about this rather a lot.