Guido has long chronicled the role of Labour’s first ‘SpAd’ National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell – giving away, for example, the UK’s best defensive asset – the Chagos Islands. If another party had appointed a political operative to the top civil service national security job, of course, there would be outcry. Under Labour, the establishment says nothing…
As a recent parliamentary answer to Richard Holden revealed, consulting outfit Inter Mediate – founded by Powell – is shrouded in obscurity. Parliamentarians were not told how much taxpayer’s cash is being funnelled to the organisation while its founder literally has the top government security policy job…
Powell met new controversial new Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa back in May. Al-Sharaa is a supposedly reformed terrorist, whose rise to power after Syria’s bloody civil war has caused a moral dilemma for many Western leaders, given that he has been accused of war crimes. Except Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, who promptly flew to Damascus to give him a soft interview…
In Middle Eastern newspaper reports mainly missed in London, regional journalists wrote that: “The UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell recently held a low-key meeting with the new Syrian administration, sources have disclosed, boosting suggestions he will play a leading role in relations… Two sources confirmed a recent meeting between Mr Powell and the post-Assad regime, which built on his historic contacts in the country.” As Guido reported, Inter Mediate staff work in al-Sharaa’s office – on the payroll of an NGO funded by the British taxpayer. Must have been a familiar face when their, er, private sector founder popped in for a UK government official meeting…
How has Powell’s knowledge of Syria been facilitated? One deep link, according to regional reporting, is via Powell’s brother, Charles, to Syrian-born businessman Wafic Said: “This personal connection and the work done by the Said Foundation has given Mr Powell a long-standing and extensive knowledge of the country and the issues it faces, according to those who know him”. Open source tracking shows Wafic Said’s jet landed in Beirut – two hours drive from Damascus – on 8 May 2025, the same day Jonathan Powell met with Al-Sharaa. Powell family members have served on the various boards of Said’s organisations…
The Tories have demanded an investigation into Powell’s links with Inter Mediate. This is just beginning…
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was asked if she saw herself as a future leader. She told The Times:
“If I answer that question, I’m not going to be home secretary any more. You shouldn’t believe anyone in politics who says they’re not ambitious about the top job because they’re basically lying.”