Rebel Justice - changing the way you see justice
What is justice? Who does it serve? Why should you care?
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We never think about it until it impacts our lives, or that of someone close.
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Rebel Justice - changing the way you see justice
E. 77: IISS - Deep State Thinktank with Dubious Charitable Status Harbors Abusive Men
This week on Rebel Justice, we examine the silencing of abuse survivors in the courtrooms of England and Wales-through the complex and controversial case of Farah Damji.
Convicted of stalking her former partner Nigel Gould-Davies, a self-proclaimed security expert on Russia, Damji's trial left crucial voices unheard—including testimonies alleging coercive control, theft, gaslighting and emotional abuse by Nigel Gould-Davies.
Two former partners of Gould-Davies who were known to the prosecution and police, Amalia B and Miss Lee, agreed to give evidence. But for reasons which were not clear, the jury didn't hear their testimonies.
We explore why these statements were excluded, what this means for justice, and the role of powerful institutions in shaping whose voices are protected—and whose are dismissed.
Jane Graham HR director of IISS, refused to investigate allegations of domestic abuse and coercive control by Gould-Davies. But she also refused to come to court to give evidence.
With exclusive testimony, legal analysis, and a closer look at the IISS, this episode asks: when justice is blind, who pays the price?
Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of trauma, abuse, and institutional neglect.
If you have experienced misconduct or sexual harassment as an employee of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, you can contact us at podcast.rebeljustice@gmail.com
Credits
Voice Over Artist: H. Jung
Soundtrack: Particles (Revo Main Version) by [Coma-Media]
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This is Rebel Justice, a podcast from the View magazine, a platform by and for women in the justice system. This week we ask a painful but urgent question what happens when the most important voices in a trial never make it into the courtroom? Our episode focuses on a story of conflict, control and credibility. One woman's life, Farah Damji, has been consumed by a legal battle that raises disturbing questions about state violence, the silence of abuse victims and the complicity of powerful institutions. But this is not a one-dimensional story. This is not clean or simple, because justice rarely is.
Host:Farrah Damji has been held on remand at HMB Bronzefield for over a year. She was denied bail despite having stage 3 breast cancer and complex PTSD. The Crown Prosecution Service accused her of a targeted stalking campaign against her, partner, Nigel Gould-Davies , a fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. In June she was convicted of stalking, theft and fraud. The mainstream coverage of this trial left one side almost entirely untouched. So today we bring you the voices that were silenced, entirely untouched. So today we bring you the voices that were silenced testimonies the jury never heard and questions institutions refused to answer. The case made headlines. But there is another side, a story told by friends, former colleagues and even ex-partners of Nigel Gould Davis. A pattern, a silence, a warning ignored.
Testimony (Voiced by Actress):I'm an academic researcher and my work is in the field of dance. I was born and raised in South Korea, where I still live today, but back in 2009 and 2010, I studied for a master's degree at Roehampton University in London. After that, I spent a couple of years living in Germany before returning to the UK in 2013. Couple of years living in Germany before returning to the UK in 2013. The following year, in 2014, I began a PhD in dance at Goldsmith College University of London. At that time, I was living in a flat at Queen Alexandra Mansions in central London.
Testimony (Voiced by Actress):I first met Nigel Gould-Dav Davis in or around 2015. He was living in Thailand then, but he owned a flat in Penge in South London. I had been letting out spare rooms in my flat through Airbnb and Niger rented a room for a few days during one of his visits to London. He said he preferred staying in a more academic area rather than in Penge. We didn't begin any kind of relationship at that time, but when he left after those three days, I suggested him getting in touch the next time. He was in London, and he did. We stayed in touch over the next two years, and he did. We stayed in touch over the next two years. He returned to stay at my flat again in 2017 and 2018. Eventually we began a sexual relationship, though we never lived together. At one point I had to visit University College London Hospital due to unexplained bleeding. The doctor asked me if I had been sexually assaulted. I told him I had not, but when I shared the experience with Nigel, his reaction was strange. He seemed angry, which I found unsettling. He also told me about his ex-girlfriend, Am alia Bianchi. He said she shared my birthday 17th February and claimed she had once said she was pregnant with his child, but he insisted it wasn't possible based on the timing. I didn't like the way he spoke about her. It made me feel uneasy. Not long after the hospital incident, our romantic relationship came to an end. This was around 2018, but we remained in touch.
Testimony (Voiced by Actress):Then, in 2020, Nigel bought a flat in Queen Alexandra Mansion, the very building where I used to live. By that time I had moved into another nearby flat in Ensley Court. I would still go back to Queen Alexandra to pick up mail. We ran into each other again by then. There was no emotional connection, just casual interaction. He showed me the flat, which was undecorated, and asked if I could help him remove an old wardrobe. I did. I also helped him find a decorator, unblock the sink, sort out a SIM card and buy various household items. I even gave him a small bed and bought a new mattress for it, which he reimbursed me for at least a mattress. He also gave me two leather bags as gifts. They were expensive, worth over a thousand pounds but around Christmas that year, out of nowhere, nigel told me he didn't want to see me anymore. No explanation, just £100 in cash and a push away. I felt angry, used, humiliated.
Testimony (Voiced by Actress):On December 20, 2020, I messaged him asking for the return of my mattress, the leather bags and a few other things. I didn't hear back, so I went to his flat. I knew he was was inside, but he wouldn't answer the door. Eventually the police arrived. I explained I was only trying to retrieve my belongings, with a female officer present. I went into the flat, dismantled the bunk bed and took it and one of the bags. I left some items behind, maybe around 200 pounds worth, but took a few small things with me. That was the last time I had any contact with Nigel. I didn't even see him that day. He was apparently hiding outside the building. He was apparently hiding outside the building. His behavior was strange, deeply upsetting, and since then, nothing, no contact, no closure.
Host:This isn't the only woman to describe Nigel Gould- Davies as controlling, coercive and emotionally abusive. The following is a statement from Holly Bright voiced by an actress, A statement she's been told she cannot give as evidence in court.
Testimony (Voiced by Actress):I am a 58-year-old woman. I have known Farah Dhamji for 40 years. We met in New York City when she was released from prison in 2019, and I helped her set up the View magazine. I am, amongst other things, a consultant forensic psychologist by trade. I am concerned about Nigel's behaviors, which are typical behaviors of a narcissistic stalker and a perpetrator of violence against women. I say this in my professional capacity. I believe he is a danger to all women. I have witnessed many incidents of domestic violence, coercive control and emotional abuse by Nigel Gould- Davies towards Farah. I've also spoken to other women and I'm due to speak to another friend who was in a relationship with Nigel Gould- Davies, whom he referred to as his stalker. In fact, he stalked her and stole her property.
Host:You can hear this full statement on episode 70 of the Rebel Justice podcast. Another ex-partner, Amalia, reportedly made allegations of abandonment, verbal threats and coercion around reproductive choices, including being pressured to have an abortion. None of this was examined in court. This testimony, along with others from Farrah's support network, never saw the inside of a courtroom. The account adds weight to the claim that there may be a pattern in Nigel Gould-Davies' treatment of women emotional detachment, sudden rejection, possible exploitation of help and resources, controlling behaviour and possible psychological harm.
Host:Uk courts often exclude character evidence unless it directly pertains to the events under prosecution. This protects due process, but what if that very rule silences victims of coercive control and abuse? What if it hides a pattern that jurors deserve to see? This episode isn't about exoneration. It's about visibility, about asking who gets protected by legal procedure and who gets crushed beneath it.
Host:One example that raises serious questions about credibility and consistency came during Farah Damji's trial. The complainant, Nigel Gould-Davies, stated that he had a diagnosis of trauma. The complainant, Nigel Gould-Davies, stated that he had a diagnosis of trauma. However, the only supporting material presented were three short excerpts from his medical records and he declined to release the full records to the prosecution. The notes indicate that he had reported symptoms of stress or low mood to his GP once in April 23, again in November 23, and most recently in June 24. Nowhere in the disclosed materials is there a formal diagnosis of trauma. Despite this, mr Gould-Davis was permitted to submit a revised victim impact statement ahead of sentencing. Farah's solicitors have since written to the Crown Prosecution Service requesting either evidence of a formal diagnosis or for Mr Gould-Davies to be made available for cross-examination In Crown Court.
Host:Witnesses, particularly victims, can be challenged if their statements are called into question. This is a legal safeguard to ensure fairness. But here some observers ask why is one party's account open to scrutiny while the other's remains largely untested? It's a question of balance and of whose narrative carries weight inside the courtroom.
Host:Nigel Gould-Davies works at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The IISS describes itself as a world-leading think tank, but it's also registered as a UK charity, and that status comes of legal obligations, transparency, neutrality and robust safeguarding policies. However, the IISS does not disclose its costs of funding, raising serious questions about the integrity of its operations. It has facilitated closed-door meetings between UK defence contractors, ministers and foreign governments with which the UK has no formal diplomatic ties. In one case, the IISS invited controversial US political figure, Pete Hegseth, known for his extreme right-wing views, to speak at a major event. The new US Secretary of Defence is also scheduled to deliver a keynote speech. These are overtly political acts and, under UK law, charities are strictly prohibited from engaging in political lobbying or activities that could compromise their neutrality. We reached out to the IISS for comment and received no reply.
Voiceover:Here's what we asked them we would appreciate it if you could explain IISS's policy on safeguarding and handling allegations of violence against women and abuse by your employees. There are further allegations by Amalia Bianchi of abuse, abandonment threats and claims that Mr Gould- Davies told her she should have an abortion. Considering IISS has charitable status, we will be reporting this repeated misconduct and your organisation's failure to investigate it.
Host:They did not respond. The View has submitted a complaint to the UK Charity Commission. Our concerns include a lack of a public safeguarding policy and multiple allegations from women working at the Institute of widespread sexual harassment. These women describe a culture of silence, retaliation and institutional protection for senior men. The Charity Commission are now investigating. Former employees of IISS shared their experience. Their testimonies paint a troubling picture of a toxic hierarchical culture inside the Institute. The ex-employees are voiced by actors to protect their identity, fearing retaliation.
Ex-IISS Employee:I reported sexual harassment in the workplace to Bill Emmott, chairman of the IISS trustees and member of the advisory council and author of Japan's far more female future. He refused to take the complaint seriously. IISS is basically an all-male organization that lets men who are social misfits run riot. They had no boundaries. No one listened to what was happening to me. Other women there were having the same experience and were made to feel uncomfortable. Eventually I left. It was intolerable.
Ex-IISS Employee:Despite describing itself as a charity, the Institute's leadership is dominated by white male directors who care more about profit and reputation than the well-being of staff. Innovation is discouraged, management is old-fashioned and controlling.
Ex-IISS Employee:The IISS is run by difficult personalities with massive egos. If you challenge them, they make life so unbearable you're forced to leave. I witnessed unethical conduct that shocked me, especially from a registered charity.
Host:These aren't just workplace gripes. They speak to an institutional culture that may be complicit in protecting harmful behavior, particularly when the accused holds power. If you've worked at the IISS or had experiences that raise red flags, particularly relating to harassment, discrimination or abuse, we want to hear from you. You can contact us confidentially and anonymously through the channels listed in our show notes.
Host:Farah Damji is awaiting sentencing. The justice system has delivered its verdict, but justice itself may still be out of reach. This story is about questioning whose voices are heard and whose pain is deemed irrelevant by our justice system. The View magazine stands by the women silenced by institutions, whether in courtrooms, prisons or relationships where power shields harm. If you'd like to support our work and receive four digital editions and one print issue a year, subscribe to the View for just £20 a year. Make sure to follow us on our social media. We're on Instagram @the_view_ magazines, and you can also find us on LinkedIn, X, and tiktok. Thank you for listening and please share this story.