To the Malmsey butt

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 19th October 2025. I thought exile, the Tower, or the Malmsey butt were more traditional ways for English kings to dispose of unwanted royal brothers – but this week we’ve seen a new innovation. If you worry the foundations of your royal house are shaking, that public mistrust is growing, … Continue reading To the Malmsey butt →

“I just snapped when I found out they cheated on me”

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 28th September 2025. In January 1941, Alexander Hill received a letter from his wife Alice. Hill was corporal in the military police, stationed in England. Alice lived at home in Springburn with at least one infant child. Her letter gave him cause to believe Alice had struck up a relationship … Continue reading “I just snapped when I found out they cheated on me” →

Slow news

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 31st August 2025. One thing people get wrong about the “24-hour news cycle” is the idea that every story is now just an evanescent thing – here today, gone tomorrow. Even before the advent of social media, today’s headlines were classically tomorrow’s fish and chip paper. Today, the news churn … Continue reading Slow news →

Antisocial models of disability

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 9th March 2025. "We're the Labour Party. The clue is in the title." From time to time, elected representatives of the People's Party will dip into their party playbook searching for a witty slogan to justify their latest round of benefit cuts. They almost always end up here - singing … Continue reading Antisocial models of disability →