Declassified UK: Challenging the Secret State and Mainstream Media
In an era where government transparency is often promised but rarely delivered, Declassified UK emerged as a dedicated investigative platform aimed at exposing the hidden realities of Britain's international role. Founded in 2019 by Matt Kennard and Mark Curtis, the outlet began its journey hosted by the South African independent site Daily Maverick before establishing its own standalone website on September 20, 2021.
The organization is driven by the belief that mainstream UK media—including billionaire-owned outlets, liberal publications, and the BBC—often fail to hold the government accountable. By amplifying establishment narratives and ignoring revealing official data, these outlets allegedly leave the public in the dark regarding policies that support war, human rights abuses, and climate-damaging corporations. Declassified UK seeks to bridge this gap by challenging the culture of secrecy embedded within Whitehall (the center of the UK government administration).
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Key Facts
- Founded: 2019 by Matt Kennard and Mark Curtis.
- Mission: To expose hidden government policies and challenge the UK's "secret state."
- Key Personnel: Phil Miller serves as the chief reporter.
- Notable Board Members: Includes Andrew Feinstein and Richard Norton-Taylor.
- Advisors: Includes Glenn Greenwald, Victoria Brittain, Stefania Maurizi, and Lowkey.
Editorial Leadership and Expertise
The foundation of Declassified UK rests on a team of seasoned journalists and historians. Matt Kennard is an investigative author known for his work with The Guardian, The Intercept, and the Financial Times. Mark Curtis brings a historical perspective, having written extensively on British foreign policy following the Second World War.
The outlet's chief reporter, Phil Miller, is an investigative journalist and filmmaker. Miller is the author of Keenie Meenie, a book detailing the history of Keenie Meenie Services, a British mercenary organization.
The Ministry of Defence Media Blacklisting Incident
One of the most significant challenges faced by the outlet occurred in August 2020. After Phil Miller published a story regarding Ahmed Al-Batati—a British soldier investigated by the Royal Military Police for protesting UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia—the Ministry of Defence (MoD) ceased communication with the publication.
An MoD press officer explicitly told Miller, "we no longer deal with your publication," sparking an international outcry. The Council of Europe issued an alert regarding a breach of press freedom, and the International Press Institute demanded clarification from then-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
An independent review led by Tom Kelly eventually revealed that MoD press officers believed their communications director had "sanctioned a blanket ban" on providing comments to Declassified UK. While the MoD issued an apology, Mark Curtis argued that the action violated the Civil Service Code, which governs the standards of behavior for UK government employees.
Major Investigative Reports
Declassified UK has produced several high-impact reports based on official data and Freedom of Information requests:
- Global Military Presence: In November 2020, the outlet reported that the UK maintains 145 overseas military bases across 42 countries, making it the second-largest overseas military network globally after the United States.
- Royal Diplomacy: A February 2021 report revealed that the British royal family held over 200 meetings with leaders of "tyrannical" Middle Eastern monarchies since the 2011 Arab Spring, with the highest frequency of meetings involving the Saudi regime and the Bahraini House of Khalifa.
- Censorship of History: In September 2021, Phil Miller reported that the UK government was censoring a Cold War-era file concerning Margaret Thatcher's support for the Afghan mujahideen, despite the documents being eligible for release under the 30-year rule.
- Nuclear Weapons in the South Atlantic: In January 2022, Richard Norton-Taylor reported that British warships during the Falklands War carried 31 nuclear depth charges, including 18 on the HMS Hermes and 12 on the HMS Invincible. This is notable as nuclear weapons are banned in the region under the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
- Dual-Nationals in the IDF: In February 2026, the outlet reported that over 50,000 dual-nationals served in the Israeli armed forces during the Gaza war. This included 12,135 US citizens, 6,100 French nationals, over 5,000 Russians, and at least 2,069 British nationals.
| Topic | Key Finding | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Military Bases | 145 bases in 42 countries (2nd largest globally) | Nov 2020 |
| Royal Meetings | 200+ meetings with Middle Eastern monarchies | Feb 2021 |
| Falklands War | 31 nuclear depth charges deployed | Jan 2022 |
| IDF Dual-Nationals | Over 50,000 dual-nationals served (incl. 2,069 British) | Feb 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Declassified UK?
Declassified UK was founded in 2019 by investigative journalist Matt Kennard and historian Mark Curtis.
Why was Declassified UK blacklisted by the MoD?
The Ministry of Defence implemented a "blanket ban" on commenting to the publication after it reported on a British soldier protesting arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
What is the "30-year rule" mentioned in their reporting?
The 30-year rule is the standard by which government documents become eligible for release to the National Archives, though Declassified UK reported instances where this was bypassed through censorship.
What did Declassified UK reveal about the Falklands War?
The outlet reported that British warships carried 31 nuclear depth charges during the conflict, which would be a violation of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
How does Declassified UK obtain its information?
The outlet utilizes investigative journalism, analysis of government-published data, and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.