Anyone whipping up violence online will face the full force of the law, the prime minister’s spokesman has warned, after Elon Musk said “civil war is inevitable” following days of rioting in the UK.
Musk, the billionaire owner of X, made the comments on the social media platform below a video of rioters setting off fireworks at police.
“There is no justification for comments like that,” Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said.
“Anyone who is whipping up violence online will face the full force of the law.
“Online platforms have a responsibility.”
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Earlier, Sir Keir said he had told ministers and police chiefs at an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday that “the law applies online”.
“So, if you’re inciting violence, it doesn’t matter whether it’s online or offline,” he added.
“And therefore I expect, just as in relation to those that are directly participating on the streets, for there to be arrests and charging and prosecution.
“Equally, anyone who has been found to have committed a criminal offence online can expect the same response.”
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Rioters throw burning bin into hotel
The PM’s spokesman said the government is working with social media platforms to ensure disinformation is removed – but more could be done.
Social media companies have a responsibility to ensure disinformation is removed, and they will be held to account, he added.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said responsibility for harmful social media content “principally rests with the individuals and groups who create it”.
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UK riots: Tamworth hotel attacked
“But it is undeniable that social media has provided a platform for this hate,” Mr Kyle added.
“We have been clear with these companies they also have a responsibility not to peddle the harm of those who seek to damage and divide our society, and we are working closely with them to ensure they meet that responsibility.”
Read more:
Why are riots happening in UK?
Asylum seekers ‘slept in woods’ as hotel targeted
More than 400 people have been arrested since riots started last Tuesday.
They began in Southport following the arrest of Axel Rudakubana, who is charged with the murder of three young girls and 10 counts of attempted murder.
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine and Bebe King, six, all died in a knife attack in the Merseyside town last Monday.
Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King were killed in Southport
Misinformation online said the person arrested was a Muslim refugee who arrived in the UK last year via a small boat.
Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents before moving to a village near Southport.
Andrew Tate, the controversial influencer, amplified the false narrative, saying that the attacker was an “illegal migrant”.
Police officers face rioters outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Pic: PA
Separately, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage questioned if the police, who had said the attack was not “terror-related”, were being truthful.
Sir Keir said there is “an army” of specialist police officers on standby to tackle any further violent disorder.
The PM also announced criminal justice will be “ramped up”, with courts opening for longer hours.
He has requested for those who are charged to be named at the earliest possible moment.
Sir Keir added: “Whatever the apparent motivation, this is not protest – it is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities.”
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