Why This Website Exists
This website was created to share my personal experience with Ed Gold, a freelance photo journalist, editor of Positive Futures, in order to warn others — particularly those in vulnerable circumstances — before engaging with him.
In my view, Mr Gold seeks out individuals and communities who are often living in poverty, off-grid, or experiencing mental health challenges, and presents himself as someone interested in documenting alternative lifestyles. My experience suggests that his conduct may at times be manipulative, coercive, abusive and retaliatory — particularly when his expectations are not met.
I am working on this website. Visit again soon to read the full story.
I have chosen to publish this full account out of concern for the well-being of others who may be too afraid or isolated to speak publicly. Everything shared on this site is based on direct evidence and is intended solely to inform and protect others from potential harm.
Over time, I’ve gathered extensive evidence of my interactions with Mr Gold — including email correspondence, whatsapp messages, threats, and public statements — which I share here to allow others to make up their own minds. I believe there is a pattern of behaviour that could put trusting people at risk, particularly those who are already marginalised. While I cannot speak for others, I know of individuals who have had similarly troubling experiences but are too afraid to speak out.
This website exists to break that silence. If you have had a similar experience, I invite you to contact me in confidence. I will never share your story or identity without your clear and explicit consent.
The threats have been reported to the Police and the conduct to IPSO, OFCOM, ICO and IMPRESS. I will report about progress.
All further correspondence from ED Gold will be added to this website.
🔍 FIRST Summary of Concerning Behaviour and Statements by Ed Gold
This page presents a verified account of behaviour exhibited by freelance photojournalist Ed Gold, following an interview in which the subject later withdrew consent for publication. The information below is drawn from emails, public statements, whatsapp messages and a retaliatory website linked to Mr Gold.
🔴 Threats and Intimidation
“Perhaps we should solve your mental health issue with a face to face visit? It’s time I came back up to Scotland.”
“I have made one website for you, but will make more until you remove your petty PDF file.”
These threats followed the subject’s refusal to authorise publication. They appear designed to intimidate and coerce compliance.
🟥 Xenophobic and National Insults
“I have never met anyone as unpleasant as you before, apart from other Belgians of course. A race more anal than Germans, and more awkward than the Dutch.”
“Does the Home Office know you are a Belgian national and what will happen when Britain leaves the EU?”
This language reflects xenophobic hostility and the use of immigration status as a pressure tactic.
🟠 Threats to Report to Authorities
“I am considering writing to the Highland Council to question your status where you are. Have they inspected you recently? Do you pay council tax? Do all the people that stay with you pay council tax? Is anybody with you a migrant or illegal immigrant? What about sanitation and human waste and all the caravans? And is there any drug use?”
These remarks were followed shortly by visits from official bodies, suggesting the threats may have been carried out. (All was found to be well, we were not doing anything ‘wrong’)
🟡 Verbal Abuse and Personal Attacks
“You’re full of shit…”
“You’re an idiot and a time-waster…”
“You have some very serious issues… narcissist… egomaniac… control freak…”
These insults were directed at the subject following a professional disagreement and refusal to participate further.
⚠️ Retaliatory Online Defamation
Mr Gold confirmed via email that he published or controlled an anonymous website containing personal attacks and false claims, including:
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Allegations of stealing land, being a deserter, and exploiting young people
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Character descriptions such as “bellicose, belligerent, narcissistic, and quarrelsome”
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Accusations that the subject’s accommodation was “dirty, smelly and shambolic”
“This man’s immorality has tainted Scotland.” — from the anonymous site
The site was used as leverage to force the subject to remove a truthful PDF account of the experience.
❌ Violation of Journalistic Ethics
“I also ask for permission to take photos and permission to use the interview(s) once the person approves it.”
— Ed Gold, prior to interview
Despite this clear agreement, Mr Gold later claimed the subject had verbally consented to publication and refused to destroy interview materials after consent was withdrawn.
He also pressed for payment, despite previous agreement:
“You did say you’d pay me for photos. If you’re able to, please do so when you can.”
This contradicts basic principles of informed consent and non-coercion in journalism.
🧾 Undermining of Community and Cultural Practices
“You are full of shit… you’ve never been to any Indigenous communities and don’t know what you are talking about.”
This was in response to a respectful invitation to engage in dialogue using Indigenous-inspired listening practices.
📌 Conclusion
The documented behaviour shows a pattern of:
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Harassment and intimidation
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Xenophobic remarks
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Attempts to weaponise regulatory bodies
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Defamation and retaliation
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Ethical breaches in journalistic practice
This report is made public to inform others — especially individuals and communities in vulnerable positions — who may be approached by Mr Gold under similar pretences.
🪞 Second: A comparison between his Accusations vs his own Behaviour – A Pattern of Projection
| His Accusation | His Own Behaviour (Mirror Image) |
|---|---|
| “Bellicose, belligerent, quarrelsome” | Responded with aggressive, insulting language (“You’re full of shit… You’re an idiot and a time-waster”) and threatened a “face-to-face visit.” |
| “Ill-natured & Pugnacious” | Displayed hostility through xenophobic remarks (“The Belgian race… more anal than Germans…”) and retaliatory actions, such as creating an anonymous smear website and making implied threats to report to authorities. |
| “You exploit people for free labour” | Pressured for payment after offering photos under different terms, and used emotional guilt when it was declined. Also uses vulnerable individuals — often in poverty or with mental health issues — to produce content for his magazine without compensating them. |
| “You defamed me” | Published an anonymous website containing false accusations and insults — after promising not to publish anything without consent. |
| “You stole land” | No evidence of wrongdoing by the subject. Meanwhile, he attempted to weaponise unverified rumours and falsely accused others of criminal acts. |
| “You’re mentally unstable” | Made repeated personal attacks while escalating the conflict, ignoring reasonable boundaries and previous agreements. |
| “You are immoral and taint Scotland” | Used xenophobic and racist language (“The Belgian race… more anal than Germans…”) and implied he would report guests to immigration authorities. |
| “You broke our agreement” | Changed the terms of the agreement post-interview (adding hidden footnotes and “verbal consent” claims), violating his own written commitments. |
| “You are unpleasant and controlling” | Became angry and retaliatory when the subject exercised control over how they were represented. Attempted to reassert dominance by threatening official complaints and online retaliation. |
| “Narcissistic” | Accused others of narcissism while spending over 300 hours editing his own Wikipedia page, attempting to shape his public image. Boasted repeatedly about the global importance of his work and displayed extreme defensiveness when criticised. |
🧠 Final Note: The consistent pattern in the examples above strongly suggests that Mr Gold is projecting his own behaviours and character traits onto others. Taken together, these actions — including manipulation, image obsession, and retaliatory aggression — may point to narcissistic tendencies.
This website is a record of my personal experience and opinions regarding Ed Gold, based on direct interactions and supported by documented evidence including written correspondence and public statements.
All content is presented in good faith, with the intention of informing and protecting others — especially individuals or communities who may be vulnerable or targeted. Where opinions are expressed, they are clearly stated as such. Where factual claims are made, supporting material is available upon request.
If you believe any information published here is inaccurate or unfair, you are welcome to contact me using the form provided. I am open to correction and committed to truthfulness.
No private personal data has been shared. Names or details of unrelated third parties have been redacted for confidentiality.
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