Independent · London · Since 2012The Living Edition
The Living Edition · Thursday 23 July

Independent news, wit and wisdom — with fourteen years of society, scandal and sharp observation behind every new story.

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Meddling Menace (‘Ian’) Mowbray Jackson – A Missing Link Between Nigel Farage & George Cottrell (‘Cotrel’)

In the wake of ‘The Sunday Times’ expose of Nigel Farage’s curious connections with convicted criminal George Cottrell (‘Cotrel’), Matthew Steeples highlights an equally curious crony of theirs, Twitter trolling twerp (‘Ian’) Mowbray Jackson.

Editor’s notice

Independent voices matter.

In an age of bland voices repeating the same safe opinions, The Steeple Times remains independent, irreverent and willing to say what others will not.

The Live Desk

What’s moving now

Live signal · 18 Jul

Matthew Steeples back on YouTube, 18th July: Chitter-chatter about true crime and news (and a quiz)

Matthew Steeples discusses true crime and news and gives viewers (live) a general knowledge quiz. Topics to be discussed will likely include developing stories such as the murder of Ann W…

People, power and influence

Movers & Shakers

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  1. 01

    Morons of the Moment 2024 – Filthy Fylde Conservative Association

    As man-pestering Mark Menzies, the MP they have supported since 2008, is exposed for yet more sordid sexual shenanigans, the Fylde Conservative Association yet again prove themselves a bunch of nutty nincompoops by sharing tweets about “vile degenerates” making “sexually explicit” comments.

  2. 02

    Lettuce & Jam – Which’ll end up having lasted longer? The Liz Truss lettuce or Meghan Markle’s jam?

    As meddling minx Meghan Markle gets mocked about her jaunt into jam and loopy lettuce-loathing loon Liz Truss gets mocked about bumbling like a buffoon about her book, Samantha Markle speaks exclusively to ‘The Steeple Times’ about her soppy, self-centred sister.

  3. 03

    The Art Of Freedom – Feckless Fraudster Inigo Philbrick Freed From Clink

    Matthew Steeples reveals that £70 million art fraudster Inigo Philbrick has been disgracefully freed after just 1-year and and 8 months in jail in spite of being sentenced to 7-years in the clink.

  4. 04

    A Carbonara Calamity – Feckless Fergie & Creepy Christian Crooner Cliff Appear on ‘This Morning’

    What was Martin Frizell thinking in allowing carbonara munching Sarah, Duchess of York to guest edit and co-host ‘This Morning’ and what was he thinking in pairing her up with the creepy Christian crooner and “fat shamer” Sir Cliff Richard?

Politics, controversy and intrigue

The Fog

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Justice For Jeremy Bamber – Could A Chance Of Such Be Back On The Pitch?

Justice For Jeremy Bamber – Could A Chance Of Such Be Back On The Pitch?

Matthew Steeples exclusively speaks to the Jeremy Bamber Innocence Campaign as they call for the whole-life tariff prisoner’s case to finally be reviewed by the Court of Appeal in the wake of the hapless and hopeless Criminal Cases Review Commission being shockingly shaken by scandal-upon-scandal after the departure of Helen Pitcher.

  1. 01

    Lawmakers & Lawbreakers – 8th December ‘Discussion Dinner’ With ‘Get Carmen’ Author Karen Phillipps; Britain’s Most Feared Barrister, George Carman QC

    Matthew Steeples to interview Karen Phillipps, author of the newly released ‘Get Carman’ at 8th December discussion dinner in London; an account of the life and times of “Britain’s most feared lawyer” George Carman QC.

  2. 02

    Enough Is Enough – The Madeleine McCann Case, Its Unspoken Secrets & Why Operation Grange Needs To End Now

    Jane Monckton suggests enough is enough and argues it is time to close the investigation into the ‘disappearance’ of Madeleine McCann; focus funding instead on other missing people who can more likely be found.

  3. 03

    Who Did Jeffrey Epstein & Ghislaine Maxwell Sex Traffic Their Victims To? Unsealing of Epstein Documents, New Book About Maxwell

    As 200 pages of transcripts about the 2006 investigation into paedophile Jeffrey Epstein are unsealed, a new book – released Thursday – examines “who is permitted to speak” about sexual abuse by an abuse victim present at mucky madam Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial; One key question still remains tellingly unanswered: “Who did these two monsters actually sex traffic their victims to?”

  4. 04

    Talking Claudia Lawrence – ‘Crime Suspect’ on Talk TV 2024

    Matthew Steeples on discussing the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence fifteen years ago in York on TalkTV’s ‘Crime Suspect’ with esteemed former detective Peter Bleksley.

Property, luxury and society

Opulence & Splendour

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  1. 01

    Playboy Prince Range Rovers – £100k For Prince Jefri of Brunei Convertible

    Matthew Steeples reports on the sale of a rare 1992 Range Rover convertible created for the alleged sex pest playboy Prince Jefri of Brunei and comments on this shamed royal’s similarities to the Range Rover driving alleged sex pest formerly known as Prince Andrew.

  2. 02

    No Room To Swing A Cat – £250k For Overpriced 109 Square Foot Knightsbridge Flat

    Tiny, overpriced studio ‘flatlet’ lacking room to even swing a cat in somewhat ‘shady’ building opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge unsurprisingly remains on sale for the not so tiny sum of £250,000 after 3 years on the market reports Matthew Steeples.

  3. 03

    Reader Event – An Evening with Steven Berkoff: An Acclaimed Actor Who Walks Against The Woke

    Matthew Steeples invites you to a discussion-dinner with ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and ‘Rambo’ star Steven Berkoff in London on Wednesday 26th November.

  4. 04

    Reader Event – Will the REAL William Shakespeare please stand up?

    ‘The Steeple Times’ invites you to a discussion dinner with ‘The Truth Will Out’ filmmaker Amanda Eliasch, Oxfordian scholar Cheryl Eagan-Donovan and actor Ron Destro on Thursday 23rd October 2025; the question proposed will be “Will the REAL William Shakespeare please stand up?”

Food, drink and hospitality

Tipple & Fare

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  1. 01

    Getting One’s Goat – A Cheesy Conundrum – Goat vs Goats vs Goat’s vs Goats’ Cheese

    Matthew Steeples explores conundrum of how to describe cheese made from goat’s milk and shares thoughts of Susie Dent to Alan Rusbridger, Christine Hamilton, Jay Rayner, Matthew Jukes, Mic Wright, Nigella Lawson, Matthew Wright, Tom Parker Bowles and Samantha Markle on goat cheese.

  2. 02

    The Pizza Express Princes – Shouldn’t Pizza Express Be Given A Royal Warrant After Being Mentioned In Legal Matters Concerning Both Prince Andrew & Prince Harry?

    As Prince Harry brings Pizza Express up in legal proceedings against Mirror Group Newspapers, shouldn’t the chain be given a royal warrant given Prince Andrew used it as an alibi also?

  3. 03

    Gobby Monroe v Gobby Anderson– What Came Next In Promised Libel Action?

    A year-to-the-day on Matthew Steeples asks: “Whatever became of the libel suit of gobby Jack Monroe v gobby Lee Anderson MP?”

  4. 04

    Please, God No… ‘The Tig’ To Be Revived By ‘HighGella Lawson’ Wannabe Meghan Markle

    As the Duchess of Sussex gets busy with ‘lemon olive oil cake’ for a new cookery book and revives ‘The Tig’ also, one is left wondering if she’ll collaborate with Elizabeth Arden and promote ‘todger cream’ as well.

Matthew’s camera, culture and the moving image

Sights & Sounds

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Sport, characters and competition

The Sporting Life

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  1. 01

    Motors ‘Clutching’ For Arrivals At Royal Ascot 2024 In

    Put your clutch into it and prepare to motor into Royal Ascot’s Car Park 1 this June in style; David G. Lennox suggests vehicles especially suitable.

  2. 02

    Roulette’s Famous Faces

    Matthew Steeples explores the history of roulette and identifies five famous faces who’ve had the biggest successes at the wheel.

  3. 03

    Do NOT Parole Pistorius – Evil Oscar Pistorius Does NOT Deserve To Be Freed

    Matthew Steeples suggests that the murdering monster Oscar Pistorius should NOT be released on parole; he is completely lacking in remorse and clearly his continuing arrogance shows he has not yet been rehabilitated.

  4. 04

    Five Famous British Poker Players – The Stories Of Poker Hand Success

    David Lennox shares the stories of five famous British poker players and what makes them good at their game.

Notable lives and reputations

The Roll Call

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Margaret Burke Neo Nazi Labour Diane Abbott Jeremy Corbyn FI

Margaret Burke

Former Neo-Nazi supporting HMP Holloway jailbird turned one-time Labour Party councillor Margaret Burke happily hung around with hypocrites Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Flint; will she get a ‘photo op’ with the drippy dope Sir Keir Starmer during General Election 2024?

  1. 01

    Amor Towles

    “Dry witted” investment banker turned bestselling modern-day F. Scott Fitzgerald-esque author Amor Towles is a civilised gent who has “led a life straight from one of his novels.”

  2. 02

    Jane Dotchin

    Octogenarian Jane Dotchin is best known for completing a 600-mile round ride from Hexham, Northumberland to Inverness and back on her Irish cob mare pack pony, Diamond, annually in seven weeks or thereabouts.

  3. 03

    Julian Sessé, ‘The Belgravia Butler’ (1906 – 1970, murdered by meat cleaver)

    Belgian born butler Julian Sessé was said to be a “kind and generous man;” devoted to his employer Lord Bernstein, he was slayed with a meat cleaver in a basement in Belgravia on a snowy December evening in 1970.

  4. 04

    Malin Baker Bogue (AKA Lord Bailey’s ‘Red Dress’ Partygate Pisshead)

    Tory twerp Malin Baker Bogue will go down in history for being Partygate’s pisshead in a red dress; a wastrel woman filmed dancing to The Pogues as the rest of Britain followed the rules of COVID lockdown 2.0 in 2020.

Breaking stories and current affairs

The Wire

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  1. 01

    The Power of Peptides

    Exploring the Research Horizon of the Peptide ARA‑290: Potential Mechanisms and Implications.

  2. 02

    Is AI Technology Making It Easier To Make Small Claims In The UK’s Courts?

    Rosie Marple looks into how AI tools are changing processes in the small claims court system in the UK and making processes easier and faster.

  3. 03

    32-Years New – Stunning ‘Brand New’ 1994 Jaguar XJS To Be Auctioned

    ‘Brand new’ 1994 Jaguar XJS V12 convertible with just 153 miles on the clock to be sold for the same price as when it was actually ‘brand new’ 32-years ago.

  4. 04

    Ferrari Tastes On A Reliant Robin Budget

    Perfect car for a wannabe Del Boy offered at auction; ideal for those with “Ferrari tastes on a Robin Reliant budget;” talk about a “cushty” makeover of a 1990 three-wheeler.

The Steeple Ledger

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2012—2026

From the Steeple archive

Today’s people and preoccupations have histories. These are the older threads behind the current conversation.

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