Keir Starmer has warned social media bosses should be “mindful” to keep communities safe amid a war of words with X owner Elon Musk.
It comes after the billionaire businessman deleted a post on the platform after sharing a fake headline over the PM’s response to UK riots. Mr Musk also faced criticism from No10 earlier this week for his claim that “civil war is inevitable” after scenes of violent disorder on British streets.
Questioned about whether Mr Musk should be “mindful” of who he lets onto X, formerly Twitter, Mr Starmer replied today: “I think people should be mindful of the first priority, which is to ensure that our communities are safe and secure.”
He added: “The vast majority of the public are absolutely repulsed by what they’ve seen in this disorder. They don’t want it and they expect all of us, myself included, to do everything we possibly can to ensure that the disorder stops.
“And that’s why the message to those that are thinking about getting involved in disorder of any sort is very clear – if you involve yourself in disorder, then the full force of the law will be applied.”
The PM, who chaired a third emergency Cobra meeting yesterday, also stressed that the government remains on “high alert” for the possibility of more violent disorder this weekend. He said potential unrest caused by the start of the football season is “added into the mix” of the police and Government’s plans.
Asked if the football season would make it easier or harder to manage rioting, the Prime Minister told reporters at Scotland Yard: “I think there were a lot of things in the mix this weekend but of course, whatever the challenge, we have to rise to it. That’s why I’ve had Cobra meetings, that’s why I’ve been talking to the police today about their plans for the weekend.
“Yes, football is added into the mix, there are other things in the mix, but our focus has to be absolutely solely on the safety and security of our communities, and that’s exactly where it is.”
As two men face jail today for stirring up racial hatred during scenes of rioting, the PM also warned that social media is “not a law free zone”.
“Today we’re due sentencing for online behaviour,” he said. “That’s a reminder to everyone that whether you’re directly involved or whether you’re remotely involved, you’re culpable, and you will be put before the courts if you’ve broken the law.”
The PM’s comments came as he met with the Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley at the force’s Lambeth command and control base for a briefing on the police’s response to public disorder.