UK government calls on Elon Musk to act responsibly amid provocative posts
Elon Musk (photo: getty images)
The British government has urged Elon Musk to act responsibly after the billionaire posted on his social media platform X, with British officials expressing concerns that his posts could further inflame the violent unrest sweeping the country, reports AP.
Justice Minister Heidi Alexander responded to Musk's post, which stated that "Civil war is inevitable” in the UK. Musk later added that the British criminal justice system is allegedly more lenient towards Muslims than ultra-right activists, comparing the UK's social media crackdowns to those of the Soviet Union.
"Use of language such as a ‘civil war’ is in no way acceptable. We are seeing police officers being seriously injured, buildings set alight, and so I really do think that everyone who has a platform should be exercising their power responsibly," Alexander told Times Radio.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described the unrest as far-right thuggery, stated after an emergency meeting with law enforcement and government ministers on Tuesday that those responsible will be held to account immediately.
Following Starmer's announcement of plans to strengthen the criminal justice system, over 400 people have been arrested due to violence in more than 20 towns, with approximately 100 facing charges.
Starmer dismissed reporters' questions about Musk, saying he is focused on ensuring public safety.
The government has called on social media companies, such as X, to do more to combat the spread of misleading and provocative information online.
Alexander stated on Tuesday that the government will consider strengthening the existing Online Safety Act, which was passed last year and will not be fully implemented until 2025.
On July 29, a teenager armed with a knife attacked a children's dance workshop in the English town of Southport. On July 30, reports indicated two dead and nine injured children, with two adults who tried to intervene also being injured.
On July 31, police confirmed that 9-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and 6-year-old Bebe King had died from their injuries.
A 17-year-old suspect has been detained in connection with the attack. Police reported that he was born in Cardiff, Wales, and had lived in a village about 5 kilometers from Southport for several years.
False rumors spread online suggested that the young man was a Muslim and an immigrant, sparking anger among far-right supporters. In the UK, suspects under the age of 18 are usually not named, but a judge ordered the identification of Axel Rudakubana to partially curb the spread of misinformation.
Far-right supporters have taken to the streets in protests across the country. They are met by groups of citizens opposing xenophobia and racism. Clashes frequently occur between the two sides, often resulting in injuries to police officers.
