Quick Facts
Biography
Kerry-Anne Mendoza is a writer, journalist and social commentator. She is the author of Austerity: The Demolition of the Welfare State and the Rise of the Zombie Economy.
A former banker and management consultant, Mendoza is currently editor-in-chief for The Canary.
Mendoza has written under "Scriptonite" on the Scriptonite Daily blog and has been a contributor for major news organisations such as The Guardian, openDemocracy, the New Internationalist and RT UK. Mendoza is "a former management consultant in banking, local government and the NHS, who left her job to join the Occupy protest", according to her Guardian profile.
Petition preventing David Cameron from returning to the UK
Following David Cameron's holiday in Lanzarote, a petition started by Mendoza to prevent Cameron from re-entering the country "gathered momentum after Mendoza wrote a satirical article" for The Canary, Romil Patel wrote in the International Business Times. The petition said, in part:
David Cameron presents a clear and present danger to the short, medium and long-term interests of the country. As such, the UK should institute a temporary ban on his return to Britain at the conclusion of his holiday in Lanzarote.
Suicide story
The Canary's coverage of Jeremy Hunt and the junior doctors' strike has gained support from left-wing political parties, such as the Socialist Party of Great Britain. However, one article by Mendoza titled "A junior doctor has killed herself, leaving a message to Jeremy Hunt in her suicide note" – which refers to a line in the BBC News reporting of the story that "a note found in Dr Polge's car related mainly to personal issues, but included a passing reference to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt" – was criticised by Private Eye for its alleged insensitivity.
The Eye alleges that "throughout her Canary story Mendoza blithely flouted the Samaritans guidelines on suicide", including "avoid reporting the contents of a suicide note" and "Over-simplification of the causes or perceived 'triggers' for a suicide note can be misleading and is unlikely to reflect accurately the complexity." Although the latter guidelines were posted by the Canary, Mendoza wrote that "... what must be acknowledged is that Jeremy Hunt is providing the kind of stresses on junior doctors which can foster and exacerbate mental health crisis. ... If Jeremy Hunt had a shred of dignity or respect, he would hand in his resignation today."
In response to these allegations, Mendoza wrote that it was a "matter of opinion" to follow the Samaritans guidelines on suicide, and co-founder of The Canary Roja Buck refused to comment on the story.