The Latest Breaking News from John Whittingdale

Legislation proposed to stop lawsuits used to silence journalists and whistleblowers

Private members’ bills to crack down on use of Slapps are likely to attract cross-party support

The Guardian - UK · Jun 17

MPs reject bid to revive Royal Albert Hall Bill amid ‘outrageous profiteering’ claims

MPs have rejected a bid to revive legislation concerning the Royal Albert Hall, following a blistering attack on the charity’s governance by Labour grandee Dame Emily Thornberry. She accused the renowned London venue of running a "racket" that allows "the most outrageous profiteering".

Evening Standard · Jun 16

Five things we learned from Cat Little’s evidence to MPs about the Mandelson saga

Top civil servant reveals more details of vetting process and lack of paper trail for approval of appointment

The Guardian - UK · Apr 23

Bill on Royal Albert Hall seatholders’ ticket reforms backed by MPs

The law will affect the rights of more than 300 owners of long-term seats at the venue in west London

Evening Standard · Jul 14, 2025

Jailed activist’s mother says she is prepared to die on hunger strike as she reaches nearly 250 days

“Don’t let my death be in vain,” the 69-year-old said

The Independent UK · Jun 3, 2025

Hunger-striking mother of jailed activist prepared to die to ‘get Alaa out’

Laila Soueif, who has lost 42% of her bodyweight and weighs 49kg, has not eaten for more than eight months in protest of her son’s sentence in Egypt.

Evening Standard · Jun 3, 2025

Starmer: Home Office to examine case of couple fined over immigrant in bike rack

Conservative former minister Sir John Whittingdale, who raised the case in the Commons, said the couple should be ‘thanked rather than punished’.

The Independent UK · Mar 12, 2025

UK couple fined £1,500 after reporting Channel stowaway found in motorhome

Adrian and Joanne Fenton had called the police when they discovered the boy hiding inside a bike-rack cover

The Guardian - UK · Mar 10, 2025

Former culture secretary warns Netflix revolution has made BBC licence fee unsustainable

Sir John Whittingdale was the last culture secretary to renegotiate the BBC charter including the licence fee but now believes it needs to find a new means of funding

The Independent UK · Feb 8, 2025

Bird flu ‘covid of poultry industry’ MPs hear, as farmers told to stay vigilant

Farming minister Daniel Zeichner told the Commons it was rare for the disease to infect humans.

Evening Standard · Jan 30, 2025