Lee Hurley

@hleehurley.com

24846 Followers 1210 Following

Belfast writer. He/him. NUJ. I mostly moan about the media, politics & Arsenal. DailyCannon.com owner. The Trans Agenda records anti-trans media coverage in UK papers, subscribe here transagenda.info

Pure blue sky with a small spattering of white clouds above the Irish sea
Women’s Rights Network meets with Naomi Long for constructive conversation 23 July 2026 This week, women from WRN NI met with Naomi Long for a constructive first meeting to discuss women’s sex-based rights. While we did not see eye to eye on every issue, we welcomed the opportunity for respectful dialogue and hope this marks the beginning of ongoing engagement. There were also a number of areas where we found common ground, including the importance of tackling violence against women and girls. We appreciate Naomi taking the time to meet with us and look forward to continuing these conversations on issues affecting women across Northern Ireland. Women's Rights Network Northern Ireland
two pages in the Telegraph women's sport section today - How sport's new sex test works AND This anti-sexism policy can tackle English rugby’s grim underbelly
Telegraph - How sport’s new sex test works With the change to gender eligibility rules for Olympic Games, Fiona Tomas finds out about procedure athletes must follow
Belfast Telegraph front page featuring half page image of JK Rowling with headline "JK Rowling jumps into Feile transgender row"
Screenshot of an X (formerly Twitter) post in dark mode. The post is addressed to @FeileBelfast and reads: “We ask publicly. Will you speak to us?” Below is an image containing a statement headed: Women’s Rights Network - Feile cancels the voices of women A circular logo at the top right reads “N. Ireland Women’s Rights Network”. The statement reads: 22 July 2026 Yesterday Féile told the world via social media that they were cancelling our event. Three minutes earlier they had sent us an email telling us directly. Since then we’ve had silence. Yesterday we asked for our panel to be reinstated as we had an agreement in good faith with Féile. We were offered funding for a legal course of action, but instead today, we have written asking for mediation to find a way through. Again radio silence. Stonewalling and the public shaming of women is as old as the hills. Some of us are now used to it. But we have faith in the leadership at Féile and hope they can do better than this! So we ask publically - Féile will you please discuss this with us so we can navigate a way forward? Our communities know legal processes aren’t in the best interests of the festival. The Directors of Féile have a responsibility to all their stakeholders to engage to resolve this. Just let us know. Women's Rights Network Northern Ireland
Google search result for my bluesky account that says "Brit living in with family & a menagerie of pets. Avid podcast listener, with interests in politics, science, nature & weird stuff."
Statement from Féile an Phobail An event application was submitted to this years Féile programme by a group called the Women’s Rights Network. Féile an Phobail was unaware from the initial submission that this event would promote campaigns against rights for the Transgender community. Féile an Phobail takes pride in standing up for those who are marginalised and attacked. Féile was formed in 1988 at a time when the community of West Belfast was being attacked and demonised, and as a positive response to that demonisation. In recent years Féile has organised discussion events with the Transgender community, providing a platform to raise issues of pressing concern, and we fully support the right of the Transgender community to be treated with equality and respect. On that basis, Féile an Phobail has informed the organiser of this event that we are withdrawing their event. This event is no longer part of the Féile programme.
Double page Telegraph spread Crisis of conscience: how Amnesty International lost its way By blacklisting women’s groups, the charity has abandoned its founding principles, writes Nicole Lampert
Teacher tied boy to the bed for sex when he was 10, court is told The Daily Telegraph21 Jul 2026By Telegraph Reporter A TEACHER had sex with a schoolboy after blindfolding him and tying him to a bed, a court heard. Deborah Franklin, 65, is accused of eight counts of gross indecency with a boy under 14 between 1991 and 1995 at a preparatory school in Hertfordshire. In a video interview, the complainant, now in his 40s, said he joined Ms Franklin’s class aged nine and she became his private tutor.
Make no mistake, this is a coup — we MUST have an election now Daily Mail21 Jul 2026By Nigel Farage WHAT we witnessed yesterday on the Downing Street step was deeply troubling to those who care about our democracy. In the space of just a few short weeks, Andy Burnham has effectively crowbarred his way into No 10 without anyone even trying to block his path. He has arrived there unelected, unopposed and with no mandate from the public whatsoever but for a by-election victory in Makerfield.
Eyelashes Andy lifted his prominent jaw and spoke without notes, lectern or discernible policy. 2nd article - THE NIGHT OF THE LONG EYELASHES
Starmer allies axed in Burnham's brutal cabinet cull stage early show of defiance The early casualties of Andy Burnham's brutal cull of the cabinet's Starmer loyalists staged an early show of defiance. When Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Steve Reed and Lord Hermer stood within a few feet of Sir Keir Starmer during his gracious valedictory speed in Downing Street they gave the game away. Their presence at what was essentially a wake for Sir Keir's premiership suggested they knew the game was up and they might as well show devoted loyalty to the end. And Steve Reed quit with a withering parting shot in his "resignation" letter to the new PM. In face, it wasn't a resignation letter. He was "disappointed to be leaving government" , he wrote. And then he added: "I hope those who did not show loyalty to Keir will now show it to you. I'm prude I acted with integrity at every step over the turbulent past few months." We learn that Rachel Reeves was offered another job - Ministry of Defence perhaps - but declined. No surprise there. Chancellors rarely accept demotion, and the MoD looks like a poisoned chalice with defence spending so contentious.
Post from Michael Nugent When human rights clash: Amnesty should protect, not undermine, equal rights for all https://michaelnugentwriter.substack.com/p/when-human-rights-clash
‘Easy delivery apps sent me into a spiral of alcoholism’ What started as a lockdown luxury turned into a 400-units-a-week addiction. After getting sober, Aisha Isenovic is calling for better safeguards
Sharing anti-trans views is misinformation Tories say tactics proposed in academic report for Government are like those of Orwell’s thought police The Daily Telegraph20 Jul 2026By Amy Gibbons Political correspondent ANTI-TRANSGENDER views have been classed as “misinformation” in a government-commissioned report. The study urges the Government to use psychology to prevent the spread of narratives it views as potentially “misleading”. The tactics are recommended for use in schools and public communications to stop “false” ideas taking hold in society.
Ex-film festival employee ‘was not discriminated against over beliefs’ She was backed by author JK Rowling after taking the case to a tribunal Belfast Telegraph20 Jul 2026AMY COCHRANE Belfast Film Festival has won its case at an employment tribunal after a former employee claimed they were discriminated against over their beliefs on sex and gender. Sara Morrison, who believes people cannot change their biological sex, had brought a case against Belfast Film Festival (BFF), where she worked as an inclusion and audience development coordinator. She claimed she was forced out of her job after she made a speech at a Let Women Speak rally in 2023, which was followed by a BFF investigation into her participation. JK Rowling backed her campaign to claim discrimination against BFF and donated to a crowdfunding page that was set up at the time. The BFF welcomed the judgment and said: “Throughout, we have acted in good faith and in line with our policies and legal responsibilities.” BFF chair Maeve Mcadam continued: “We remain committed to fair employment practices and to maintaining a respectful and inclusive working environment. “We continue our work, delivering world-class film events for our audiences and supporting the Belfast Film Festival team going forward.” After the BFF investigation began, Ms Morrison took sickness absence from work citing stress, before finally resigning. The tribunal found that the evidence presented to them did not support Ms Morrison’s claims and dismissed them “in their entirety”.
Woman left unhurt after car set alight near home in Co Armagh Belfast Telegraph20 Jul 2026AMY COCHRANE A woman escaped unscathed after an arson attack in Armagh that destroyed a car and damaged the house she was in. Detectives are appealing for information following the attack in the Mullacreevie Green area of the city in the early hours of Sunday. Police received a report shortly after 2.30am of a car and a house on fire. Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fires. A woman who was in the house at the time of the incident was not injured, police said. The car was completely burnt out and damage was caused to the front of the house. Elsewhere, a popular Co Down GAA club has said that their clubrooms and grounds are completely closed due to a fire that broke out on Saturday afternoon. Four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform from the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) rushed to Ardglass GAC on Ardtole Road. Firefighters battled the blaze and extinguished it around 5.43pm. In a statement posted on Facebook, the club thanked firefighters for their efforts in bringing the fire under control.
screenshot from Buzzball website - WOMEN FOUNDED Built on bold ideas since 2009 BuzzBallz is WBENC-certified, meaning we’re proudly woman-owned, operated, and unstoppable. Look for our women-owned label on every pack—it’s not just a logo, it’s proof that strong drinks come from even stronger women
Alleged rapist (well, I mean, we all heard the tape) Mason Greenwood on signing for Fenerbahce, says he has learned a lot from Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been accused of at least five rapes and sexual assaults, one of which he admitted and the first of which was reported when he was 19. He is 41 now.
Cabinet Office refuses to reveal guidance for trans civil servants The Sunday Telegraph19 Jul 2026By Madeleine Ross MINISTERS have refused to publish transgender guidance for civil servants, raising concerns about whether the rules respect women’s rights. The policy about how transgender civil servants should be treated at work were sent to government departments in May. But the Cabinet Office refused to share the draft guidance with The Telegraph because “ministers and officials may not feel comfortable sharing their views”. This decision has raised concerns that it may not respect women’s rights, with Claire Coutinho, the Tory shadow minister for women and equalities, accusing Labour of “running scared of scrutiny”.
Rowl­ing ‘burn­ing with fury’ at Amnesty attack on women’s refuge - Sunday Telegraph
IS FOR AGENDER IS FOR BIGENDER IS FOR CISGENDER It’ll stretch your credulity to the limit but this ABC really IS from a book for five-year-olds. And it’s just one of 60 named in a damning report into how the trans lobby is hijacking primary school reading with its ‘sex-change propaganda’ The Mail on Sunday19 Jul 2026By NICHOLAS PYKE and JANET MURRAY
Phil­lipson’s £500k bill over failed bid to scrap col­lege free speech law - Mail on Sunday
Mail on Sunday front page - Flutter those eyelashes all you like, Andy ...we want an election now On eve of becoming PM, Burnham gets blunt message from voters in MoS poll
Daily Mail magazine front page Boris in the kill zone - full page of Johnson, missiles, bombed out buildings and cars with a Ukraine flag overlay
A video of Belfast first ever pride march being shown on a screen on the stage at the launch of Pride 2026 at Belfast City Ha
Me and my bald head in a blue jacket white shirt and blue tie in front of the stage at Belfast city hall for the launch of Pride
Love is every colour tall banner for Befatx Pride celebrating 35 years
Front page of The Times Scotland - Amnesty 'won't survive' Rowling action.
Sexually explicit images incident In 2023, it was reported that Nolan had sent sexually explicit images to BBC colleagues in 2016. The images were of Stephen Bear, a reality television personality who later appeared on Nolan's programme Nolan Live.[33] Bear was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 21 months in prison for revenge porn and voyeurism in 2023.[34][35][36] Stephen Bear appearing with Stephen Nolan on the BBC Nolan Show November 2016 Stephen Bear appearing with Stephen Nolan on the BBC's Nolan Live [37] in November 2016 According to reports, Nolan circulated two explicit photographs to several BBC colleagues. Recipients responded in different ways, with one colleague reportedly being "shocked and offended" by the images.[38] The BBC conducted an investigation which led to disciplinary action being taken under the corporation's policies, with the BBC stating that "appropriate action" was taken. Nolan subsequently apologised for his actions.
A completely empty road ahead of my car (I pulled over to take the photo)
The Left’s constant demonisation of Reform was a ticking time bomb Telegraph Features 15 Jul 2026 Allison Pearson
Three page Telegraph features spread including front page with large image of Louise Haigh and the headline "How a convicted fraudster became Burnham's right-hand woman"
Theatrical Ann was a big hit with gay men Notebook Matthew Parris I’m sorry my thousandth notebook must begin sadly. Though not a close friend, I liked Ann Widdecombe tremendously. Her stated opinions could be appalling but if (sometimes) a public horror she was a private delight: self-caricaturing and never standing on her dignity. I remember her chuckles as she and I descended from a helicopter during an election tour to be greeted by Gyles Brandreth bounding across the grass crying, “What vision of loveliness has come among us from the heavens!”
A grand bed with a thousand cushions by a large rectangular window. It's clearly a fancy country house.
GB News’ show provides genuine insight... who knew the Beckhams occupy former Orangeman’s home? Arlene Foster and Charlie Lawson reunite for live TV coverage of the day from Hillsborough Belfast Telegraph 14 Jul 2026 JAMES MCNANEY
Daily Mail front page - Widdecombe murder WAS political, terror police believe Communist literature was among material found at suspect’s home
Rowling rape support centre brands Amnesty’s anti-rights accusation ‘deeply offensive’ Scottish Daily Mail14 Jul 2026By Lettice Bromovsky Centre founder: JK Rowling JK Rowling’s women-only rape support centre has hit back after being branded an ‘antirights organisation’ by Amnesty International, describing the claim as ‘deeply offensive’. Beira’s Place, the Edinburgh-based service founded by the Harry Potter author in 2022 to support female survivors of male violence, issued its first public response after Amnesty was forced to remove its report, A Growing Threat: The Anti-Rights Movement in the UK, due to the growing backlash.
No, JK Rowling’s rape centre is not abusing human rights. Amnesty is a joke Features14 Jul 2026Suzanne Moore In December 2022, a former Amnesty employee told me I should come up to Edinburgh to see a secret project she was working on. As that person was JK Rowling, I hopped on a train. What she wanted to show me was the freshly painted Beira’s Place, a fine Edinburgh townhouse she had bought in order to set up a support service for women who had suffered sexual violence. I had tea and biscuits with the experienced team she had assembled to run it and left deeply impressed that Rowling had made sure this rape crisis centre would be funded.
JKR pinned tweet - If you believe free speech is for you but not your political opponents, you're illiberal. If no contrary evidence could change your beliefs, you're a fundamentalist. If you believe the state should punish those with contrary views, you're a totalitarian. If you believe political opponents should be punished with violence or death, you're a terrorist.
Two tweets from JKR 1 Reposting another account complaining small GC groups don't have money to sue Amnesty. JKR says "Should any of the women's organisations targeted by @AmnestyUK 's recent 'anti-rights' blacklist wish to take legal action, applications can be made to the JK Rowling Women's Fund. https://jkrwf.org" 2. Reply to that post saying "Gay men's organisations named on the list are welcome to contact me through my website. While the JK Rowling's Fund was set up to support women, JK Rowling herself is more than happy to donate to your legal fighting fund."
Screenshot of an article from The Telegraph with headline Cabinet Office called for LGBT and ethnic minorities to be included on banknotes
a garden swiming pool with four kids in the corner. It's about 8-10 feet long
M&S ad under the Times masthead on their front page - Top Marks, How M&S got cool
Disparaging Nigel Farage and Reform is a real threat to our democracy The Daily Telegraph 13 Jul 2026 Nick Candy is the honorary treasurer of Reform UK Ann Widdecombe’s death should remind us that politicians are human beings with families THERE are moments that force a country to stop arguing and start reflecting. Today is one of them. This should be a moment for every politician, commentator and journalist to ask themselves a simple question: “What kind of political culture have we created?”. For years, many of us have watched Britain’s political discourse become steadily more poisonous. Not merely more passionate, but more personal. Not merely more polarised, but more dehumanising. Some politicians are no longer criticised for what they believe; they are condemned for existing in public life at all. That is particularly true of Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
Belfast Telegraph front page with houses that have been completely gutted by fire caused by a bonfire, withg another article headline that says "Civil service launches probe into Donaldson’s behaviour Paedophile’s time as Stormont junior minister to be investigated"
Picture of Donaldsons appears on Belfast pyre Belfast Telegraph13 Jul 2026CLAIRE WILLIAMSON A picture of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor has appeared on a Belfast bonfire. The banner was placed on the Sandy Row pyre in south Belfast yesterday afternoon. It was to be lit at midnight. Jeffrey Donaldson, the former DUP leader, was last month convicted of sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape. His wife Eleanor was found to have aided and abetted his offending during a trial of the facts. Several pyres were ignited on Friday evening, with others lit on Saturday and the final ones to be lit last night.
A fire in a burner in a garden while potatoes grow in the background
A greeting card with a giant union Jack, a red hand of Ulster, the bisexual king Billy on a white horse and the words 'the glorious twelth greetings from Belfast'
A fence covered in tint union Jack flags while a Welsh flag flies from a yellow lamppost
Lower Newtownards road, a large pallet bonfire stands between some trees with a Harland and Wolff crane in the background
A normal sized tortoiseshell cat sits on white tiles on a really untidy balcony
A tortoiseshell cat splayed out on a sofa looking like she is about three times bigger than an average sized cat
A ginger and white cat sits on a pavement. He has an electronic tag on his collar. It's massive.
FT 'journalist' saying Ann Widdecombe was kind, praising her Times obit and saying she was a woman of strong principles
Katie Hopkins being a cunt in front of a bonfire that has a replica mosque on top of it. She also poses beside a bonfire sign
A yellow lorry depsoits a beaconcon a green field, paid for by the council to be lit on 11th July
‘Hurtful and offensive’: Billy Wright flag in Dungannon is condemned Tribute to terror chief on lamppost follows banner placed on bonfire