Damian Grammaticas

BBC Correspondent. Was in China, India, Moscow, Hong Kong and Brussels. Now back in London. Views my own.

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

The BBC understands the missiles targeting the British-US base on Diego Garcia were fired by Iran late on Thursday night/Friday morning

Initial information was only that it had happened before UK ministers met on Friday pm and approved US use of British bases to protect shipping

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

UK govt minister has told MPs that the UK is "pausing" the process of passing through parliament the treaty to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Island to Mauritius. Are "discussions" with the US after President Trump last week said don't give away Diego Garcia base there

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

China’s controversial London mega-embassy should be blocked Labour MPs say because of China’s espionage, interference, issuing of bounties against pro-democracy campaigners, and the threat to the UK’s ‘sensitive infrastructure’. Decision to be made in days
https://t.co/p3ONiCJk2W

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

@celiahatton Want to understand China’s global ambitions to dominate key industries, including by buying-up the western firms with the technologies it needs, the UK a target, watch this special BBC Panorama from @celiahatton with exclusive access to years of research https://t.co/Jz4YmyoLXa

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

How China bought reams of data on CIA/FBI agents, all part of a global spending spree buying up firms and tech @celiahatton w/ exclusive access to 4 yrs of research showing China’s “party state is behind the scenes writing the cheques to make this happen" https://t.co/m1yllTorfR

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

UK strategic industries, with technology that could have military use, bought by China @celiahatton with 2part report on Communist Party directed campaign to gain strategic dominance in key industries, all bankrolled by money originating from China’s state https://t.co/5JDswW5zSs

[Celia Hatton @celiahatton]

My investigative story out today. It's the product of a lot of teamwork and effort from #bbcpanorama and @BBCNews. For those in the UK, the Panorama documentary version is available on iPlayer and BBC One at 8 pm tonight.

https://t.co/wfWfiKDgUQ

[John Simpson @JohnSimpsonNews]

Excellent article by Damian Grammaticas on the danger British universities run if they become too dependent on enrolling Chinese students. https://t.co/HtB2vnU4OW

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

BBC has been given documents that show China waged a 2 year campaign of intimidation to get a UK university to shut down human rights research. It led the UK government to tell China attempts to suppress academic freedom would not be tolerated. Our report.
https://t.co/KFl8T7l2ZT

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

China's controversial plan for a 'mega-embassy' in London explained

Here's our quick tour of the site

The Deputy PM Angela Rayner has given China 2 weeks to explain why some parts of the plan submitted were obscured by Beijing citing 'security reasons'
https://t.co/AeQFLRG9Hg

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

Spies, surveillance, and secret cables. Our in-depth report into China’s plans for a new mega embassy in London. Will it be a base for China to intimidate opponents overseas? or even to eavesdrop on crucial communication networks for the City of London? https://t.co/FBK2pWHNJi

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

@GP_Spink @BBCRadio4 @BBCNews You're right Geoff. My mistake, thanks for your close listening and drawing it to my attention, and apologies to all including Mr M.

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrive for lunch with Sir Keir and Lady Starmer. I managed to ask Mr Macron how his visit is going, he touched his hand on his heart and smiled, a contented gesture I’d say

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

Five years on from Brexit the UK and the EU are, cautiously, re-engaging. Deals covering a swathe of areas could be unveiled in London on Monday at the first leaders’ summit since they split. Want to know what’s likely? What does it mean? Our BBC InDepth report here ..

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Is Britain really inching back towards the EU? https://t.co/5INzp61vRz

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

So a clear commitment to not budge on Crimea being sovereign Ukrainian territory, illegally seized by Russia in 2014.

But UK could find itself at odds with Donald Trump if he formally accepts Putin’s demand to recognise Crimea as Russian.

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

UK “will not change” its position that Crimea is sovereign Ukrainian territory Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said today.

“On what terms the war comes to end can only be decided by negotiations involving Ukraine” he said.

So the UK will only shift if Ukraine does.

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

I asked PM’s spokesperson if UK’s ‘ironclad’ support for Ukraine was also an ironclad commitment not to change position on the sovereignty of Crimea unless Ukraine did.

“That position has not changed and will not change” Sir Keir's spokesperson said.

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

Nigel Farage earns more than £1 million a year for work outside parliament. His MP's salary is £91k a year. He's just declared his additional earnings, £97k a month to present on GB News, £4k a month to write for The Telegraph. https://t.co/XD7QvOjmg2

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

Anticipation growing for the election results. Crowds outside BBC Broadcasting House waiting to see the ye exit poll projected in the building

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

@maxlonghin thanks Max. Kind of you to say so.

[Damian Grammaticas @dngbbc]

Memorable moments from the election campaign .. delighted to appear twice in this selection, even if it's for adding unintended comedy both times. We aim to inform and entertain!

[Scott Bryan @scottygb]

It has been quite the election, so here are my WTF TV election moments from 2024 ✨