James Cusick

James Cusick is editor of openMedia at openDemocracy and a former political correspondent at The Independent and The Independent on Sunday. As an experienced member of the lobby, he has previously worked at The Sunday Times and the BBC.

UK coronavirus guidance could cause spike in child deaths, doctors warn

Experts demand change in public messaging, warning that confused parents are too scared to take sick kids to hospital or GPs.

By James Cusick

/ 5 Apr 2020

UK coronavirus guidance could cause spike in child deaths, doctors warn

I’ll tell you what’s ramping up – my anger at the UK government’s disingenuous script

Ministers talk as if the COVID-19 outbreak is all going to plan. I love escapist fantasy too, but the facts suggest otherwise.

By James Cusick

/ 1 Apr 2020

I’ll tell you what’s ramping up – my anger at the UK government’s disingenuous script

Exclusive: Boris Johnson’s Culture Minister under fire over ‘clearly inappropriate’ failure to end relationship with media company

John Whittingdale, appointed to ‘whack’ the BBC, accused of ‘clear conflict of interest’ over continuing his lucrative role with global news agency, while questions mount over his ‘bizarre’ resignation timeline

By Peter Geoghegan and James Cusick

/ 4 Mar 2020

Exclusive: Boris Johnson’s Culture Minister under fire over ‘clearly inappropriate’ failure to end relationship with media company

Boris Johnson is not going to ‘win’: Jeremy Corbyn is going to lose

There is nothing in the prime minister’s record to suggest voters trust him with the keys to Number 10. Luckily for him, they don’t trust Corbyn either.

By James Cusick

/ 11 Dec 2019

Boris Johnson is not going to ‘win’: Jeremy Corbyn is going to lose

Breaking: Lib Dems admit they added information about voters in £100k data sale

Following the fake email scandal, openDemocracy has uncovered more details of the Lib Dems’ sensitive data deal.

By James Cusick

/ 6 Dec 2019

Breaking: Lib Dems admit they added information about voters in £100k data sale

Why are Britain’s ‘watchdogs’ protecting politicians, not us?

Our leaders stand accused of presiding over corruption, fraud, racism – and suppressing evidence of foreign interference. We urgently need answers.

By Peter Oborne, Mary Fitzgerald and James Cusick

/ 3 Dec 2019

Why are Britain’s ‘watchdogs’ protecting politicians, not us?

New evidence that LibDems sold voter data for £100,000 held back till after election

UK’s data watchdog has documents to show the Liberal Democrats had a lucrative commercial deal with the Remain campaign to sell voter data. Why should the electorate not know the full story before 12 December?

By James Cusick

/ 13 Nov 2019

New evidence that LibDems sold voter data for £100,000 held back till after election

Number 10 abused its power by demanding cover-up of donors and friends of Boris in report on Russian influence

Sources close to the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee say that only a threat to national security can justify redacting names.

By James Cusick

/ 11 Nov 2019

Number 10 abused its power by demanding cover-up of donors and friends of Boris in report on Russian influence

Johnson and Cummings under fire as police hand criminal evidence on Vote Leave to prosecution agency

Exclusive: After 16-month investigation, Met Police refer Vote Leave to the CPS for possible criminal charges. But will the timing of the election mean further delay?

By James Cusick

/ 1 Nov 2019

Johnson and Cummings under fire as police hand criminal evidence on Vote Leave to prosecution agency

Revealed: Election pact between Johnson and Farage edges closer

Channels opened between Downing Street and the Brexit Party. Arron Banks prepared to donate substantial funds to Tories if a pact with Farage put in place

By Peter Geoghegan and James Cusick

/ 6 Sep 2019