Paul Staines is admired and dreaded in equal measures. Staines is the mastermind behind Guido Fawkes, the No.1 political blog site that delights in sharing parliamentary plots, rumours and conspiracy. Educated at a Catholic Grammar school, Staines is a bon-viveur, a Libertarian and an anti-establishment95%Conservative;he admits his CV is colourful and says “that is only the half of it, I was always getting into trouble”.Previously he has been a video game champion, an Acid-House party planner, an editor, lobbyist and a bond broker, Staines says he is “an anarchic capitalist and I have not voted Conservative since 1987, I am for low tax and keeping government of the bedroom and the boardroom”.
In September 2004 Staines created Guido Fawkes, named in homage to Guy Fawkes who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605, Staines explains “It is the most anti-politics name you can imagine”. Originally his blogs were anonymous, under the heading of Order-Order he revealed scandals, indiscretions and made allegations on behalf of whistle-blowers. In 2005 his cover was blown when The Guardian discovered Guido and Staines had the same fax number.He had distanced himself from the dreary 2,000 word opinions of the time and created an audience who relished bite sized gossip with humour, today Guido is the “trade press” for the political elite, Staines is very much a public figure who still courts trouble with his adventurous and daring revelations, he believes “Freedom of the press is more important than voting, if you don’t know the truth you can’t vote.”
His reputation is such that Guido’s daily press is read by all of SW1 (Westminster), Lynton Crosby, campaign supremo, says “He can put the wind up the Tory Membership” and yet Stainesreceives new publicity photographs from the Establishment.
To celebrate Guido’s tenth anniversary Staines invited half the Cabinet and UK’s protestant PM David Cameron to a reception and dinner, the PM was unable to attend, due to a previous engagement with HM The Queen, instead Cameron sent a video message saying “Guido’s daily dose of plots, rumours and conspiracy have become required reading for all those working in politics, including me”. Staines not so modestly says he can predict what will come up in Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesdays.
His reputation is such that Guido’s daily press is read by all of SW1 (Westminster), Lynton Crosby, campaign supremo, says “He can put the wind up the Tory Membership” and yet Stainesreceives new publicity photographs from the Establishment.
Staines writes a cheeky exposé in The Sun every Sunday but he is still ambitious for more controversy and India is in his sights. His father was born and educated in India and he hopes he is entitled to an Indian passport, he and “Mrs Fawkes” as his wife is affectionately known, honeymooned in India and the politics have intrigued him since. Staines concedes he is not immersed in Indian political gossip and he would hope to recruit a young idealist with a strong moral purpose and good connections as the frontline man; Guido’s style is about aggressive journalism, without a hint of cronyism, he says “it is more like a plague on all the houses” and his record tells he fiercely protects his sources and whistle-blowers. Staineswould replicate Guido’s current business model of keeping commercial interests separate from editorial but is concerned would corporates be wary of advertising? Staines is keen to make the move to Delhi before the elections in 2019. However Mrs Fawkes is apprehensive, concerned about her children’s security, Staines is more concerned about India’s colonial-era criminal defamation laws which would restrict the freedom of speech he is accustomed to.