British MPs are calling for Elon Musk to appear before Parliament to address his inflammatory comments and the role of his platform, X (formerly Twitter), in recent far-right riots across the UK. The demand follows Musk’s contentious statements, including a tweet suggesting that “civil war is inevitable” in Britain, which has drawn sharp rebukes from government officials and heightened scrutiny of X’s handling of disinformation.
The unrest began with a tragic incident in Southport, where a knife attack at a children’s dance class resulted in the deaths of three young girls. False claims on social media about the attacker’s identity, falsely implicating an asylum seeker, quickly spread, exacerbating tensions and leading to violent demonstrations targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
‘I think Elon Musk’s comments were totally unjustifiable’
Justice Minister and Swindon MP Heidi Alexander rebukes claim by X boss Musk that the UK is heading for a civil war pic.twitter.com/Y0CdvvNtne
— Lucy McDaid (@LucyJMcDaid) August 6, 2024
Labour MPs Chi Onwurah and Dawn Butler, both contenders to chair Parliament’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, have been vocal about the need to question Musk and other tech executives about their platforms’ role in the unrest. Onwurah has criticized X’s algorithms for amplifying misinformation and racial hatred, arguing that these platforms bear a responsibility to prevent the spread of such content.
Musk’s remarks have also been condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior officials. Justice Minister Heidi Alexander labeled Musk’s comments as “deeply irresponsible,” emphasizing the need for public figures to promote calm rather than incite further division. Starmer’s spokesperson echoed these sentiments, rejecting the notion that the UK is on the brink of civil war and criticizing Musk for contributing to the disorder.
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Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has expressed concerns that the United Kingdom is on the brink of a civil war.
His comments come as violent anti-immigration protests sweep across the country, sparked by a tragic knife attack in Southport, England.
The attack,… pic.twitter.com/NzyVqqjXOd
— Chinasa Nworu (@ChinasaNworu) August 4, 2024
Further complicating the situation, Musk has reinstated accounts of several controversial far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson, co-founder of the English Defence League. This move has been seen as a nod to free speech but criticized for potentially enabling the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
The UK government has urged social media companies to take more decisive action against illegal content on their platforms. While the upcoming Online Safety Act aims to enforce stricter regulations, there is an immediate call for platforms like X to adhere to their moral responsibility in curbing the spread of harmful content.
Tech Secretary Peter Kyle compared dealing with tech giants to handling diplomacy with major states, underscoring the profound impact these platforms can have on public discourse and real-world events.
Musk’s contentious “involvement” in the UK riots comes amidst broader criticisms of his leadership and comments on various political issues from the left and far. His history of provocative statements and the power he wields as the owner of a major social media platform have made him a focal point in debates about the responsibilities of tech executives in managing online content and its real-world implications.
