Downing Street has made it clear that it will not be drawn into a “running commentary” about its plans for regulating social media platforms and their users.
This comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces growing scrutiny over the government’s handling of both the unrest and the role of social media in fueling tensions.
Sir Keir’s spokesperson told journalists on Monday, August 12 that the Prime Minister has no intention of engaging in a back-and-forth exchange with Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, formerly known as Twitter.
This stance follows Musk’s provocative comments on the platform, where he accused the UK government of promoting a “two-tier” justice system in response to the protests.
Using the hashtag #TwoTierKeir, Musk suggested that police have treated some protesters more harshly than others, and he further claimed that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK.
Additionally, Musk amplified false rumors that Sir Keir had contemplated establishing detainment camps in the Falkland Islands.
While Downing Street acknowledges the impact of social media in the recent unrest, Sir Keir’s spokesperson emphasized that the government’s immediate priority remains restoring order and ensuring public safety.
The spokesperson stated that ministers are expected to engage with social media companies later this week, following a meeting last Monday between Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and representatives from various platforms.
“Our immediate response has been to address the disorder and work closely with the police,” the spokesperson said.
“As Sir Keir mentioned last week, there will be a need to examine the broader role of social media following this unrest. However, we’re not going to provide a running commentary on what those plans might involve. Our current focus is on ensuring that communities are safe and secure.”
Spokesperson
She added that the government’s approach includes targeting individuals who incite violence and spread hatred online, in addition to those who have taken part in physical violence.
Crackdown on Online Hate Intensifies
The Public Order Act 1986, which predates platforms like X by nearly two decades, already addresses offenses related to incitement, provocation of violence, and harassment, both online and offline.
In the aftermath of the recent disturbances, several social media users have been arrested for allegedly inciting racial hatred.
Among them is Jordan Parlour from Leeds, who received a 20-month prison sentence after posting on Facebook that “every man and their dog should be smashing f***” out of a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers. Parlour, 28, pleaded guilty to intending to stir up racial hatred.
Similarly, Tyler Kay, a 26-year-old from Northampton, was sentenced to 38 months in prison after he used X to advocate for setting fire to hotels accommodating asylum seekers, calling them “bastards.”
Following his meeting with social media companies last week, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle underscored the importance of rapid response by these platforms in addressing harmful content.
“There is a significant amount of content circulating that platforms need to be dealing with at pace,” Kyle said.
“Our focus is on working with social media companies to ensure that what is illegal offline is illegal online. Different companies take different approaches, but we expect platforms to ensure that those seeking to spread hate online are not being facilitated and have nowhere to hide.”
Downing Street’s spokesperson reiterated this position, stating, “We continue to engage with social media companies. Further engagement is expected this week, and it is vital that these companies take their responsibilities seriously.”
When asked about Musk’s comments, the spokesperson refused to be drawn into a debate, saying, “I’m not proposing to get into back-and-forth on individual comments. Our focus remains on ensuring that what is illegal offline is illegal online, as it should be.”
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