Ha, seeing this critical tone and the name Giles, my instant thought was: "Has to be Keir Giles." Sure enough, it was. Not a particularly trustworthy writer, that one.
England continues to produce some highly eccentric characters (like, to be fair, does everyone else). Here's another, knock yourself out: https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2023/09/the-postmodern-theatre-of-the-ukrainian-counter-offensive