Peter Geoghegan

Peter Geoghegan is a journalist, author and former editor-in-chief of openDemocracy. His latest book is 'Democracy for Sale'. He can be found on Substack and Twitter @PeterKGeoghegan.

When governments can decide what journalists say, we should all be worried

OPINION: UK National Security Bill is latest in long line of cynical attempts to maintain secrecy and stifle journalism

By Peter Geoghegan

/ 3 Mar 2023

When governments can decide what journalists say, we should all be worried

The rules failed to hold Boris Johnson to account. We need radical change

Government refusal to release ministers’ official pandemic diaries was latest in a litany of transparency failures

By Peter Geoghegan

/ 7 Jul 2022

The rules failed to hold Boris Johnson to account. We need radical change

Boris Johnson refuses to publish his official pandemic diaries

Exclusive: Government blocks release of 18 ministers’ calendars – including those of the PM and Matt Hancock

By Peter Geoghegan, Jenna Corderoy and Martin Williams

/ 6 Jul 2022

Boris Johnson refuses to publish his official pandemic diaries

Tories have taken £62,000 from Russia-linked donors since war began

The donations include £50,000 from Lubov Chernukhin, who is married to Vladimir Putin’s former deputy finance minister

By Peter Geoghegan and Martin Williams

/ 9 Jun 2022

Tories have taken £62,000 from Russia-linked donors since war began

Labour accuses Boris Johnson of hiding meetings with Russian oligarchs

Prime minister has failed to publish lists of visitors to his country residence, sparking transparency fears

By Peter Geoghegan and Jim Cusick

/ 18 Mar 2022

Labour accuses Boris Johnson of hiding meetings with Russian oligarchs

APPGs scandal: MP reveals how lobby firm tried to use her to influence Parliament

Calls for independent inquiry as SNP’s Alison Thewliss reveals she was asked to set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group sponsored by drinks firms

By Peter Geoghegan

/ 21 Feb 2022

APPGs scandal: MP reveals how lobby firm tried to use her to influence Parliament

Weapons makers and private firms donate £13m to get exclusive access to MPs

Revealed: Unregulated MPs’ groups took more than half their funding from private sector – including health and tobacco firms and big tech

By Peter Geoghegan, Tatev Hovhannisyan, Martin Williams and Ben Quinn

/ 17 Feb 2022

Weapons makers and private firms donate £13m to get exclusive access to MPs

Vaccinate the world

If we believe in democracy, economic success or basic survival, the world’s media must send the message loud and clear

By Anthony Barnett and Peter Geoghegan

/ 23 Dec 2021

British democracy is under attack - we must fight to protect it

Everyone knows Boris Johnson is an amoral liar with no respect for standards. But if we don’t act now, his power grabs will be fixed in law

By Peter Geoghegan

/ 23 Dec 2021

British democracy is under attack - we must fight to protect it

The Brexit dark money lobby has a new target – climate change action

Brexit showed that a few ruthless, well-connected people with big money behind them can change history. Now they’re at it again, and the stakes are even higher

By Peter Geoghegan

/ 30 Oct 2021

The Brexit dark money lobby has a new target – climate change action

Marketing firm given £40m PPE contract made staff work on furlough

Exclusive: Employees say KAU Media Group threatened to fire staff who complained about being forced to work on furlough, while boss enjoyed lavish lifestyle

By Peter Geoghegan, Martin Williams and Ben Ellery

/ 1 Oct 2021

Marketing firm given £40m PPE contract made staff work on furlough

UK government’s ‘Orwellian’ FOI unit interfered in Grenfell fire FOI requests

Exclusive: Cabinet Office’s Clearing House told housing ministry to alter responses to Freedom of Information requests about fatal fire

By Peter Geoghegan and Jenna Corderoy

/ 22 Sep 2021

UK government’s ‘Orwellian’ FOI unit interfered in Grenfell fire FOI requests