Elon Musk and Sir Keir Starmer have again fought over the UK riots, prompting criticism from MPs.
On Monday night, the tech mogul responded on X to a cartoon that reinforces assertions that the UK has a “two-tier” policing system that treats populations differently.
The photographs show provocative caricatures of two males, one wearing a headband with the Pakistan flag and holding a knife, standing next to a police officer with the caption, “We are here to protect you.”
A police officer accuses a man who says “I don’t want my children to get stabbed” of being a “Nazi” below.
Responding to X, Mr. Musk said, “Does it appear one-sided?”
Downing Street disputed charges of “two-tier policing” in the UK yesterday, with a spokesperson stating that the government “does not recognise that characterisation.”
The billionaire software mogul also responded to the prime minister’s social media post, which questioned the government’s decision to offer more safety for mosques. He wanted to know: “Shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on all communities?”
Downing Street denounced the proprietor of X for stating that “civil war is inevitable” on his platform.
On Tuesday, Justice Minister Heidi Alexander stated that Mr. Musk’s comments were “totally unjustifiable” on LBC Radio.
She stated, “We have police officers being seriously injured on our streets.” People are looting buildings.
“They’re setting buildings alight, and for someone who has a big platform, a large following, to be exercising that power in such an irresponsible way, I think is actually pretty unconscionable.”
Ms. Alexander went on to say, “I believe everyone should be calling for calm right now.” We must find a solution to address the anarchy that we are seeing on our streets and in our communities. We will have, and will continue to have, a strong police reaction. There will be speedy and efficient justice, but all those with a platform must act responsibly.”
Former Conservative cabinet member Rory Stewart responded to Mr. Musk on X, saying, “Seriously?” Since when have you claimed to understand British communities or politics? How many days did you spend with these communities?
He finished by asking, “Does it ever occur to you that this might perhaps be the wrong time to sound off about a subject you know nothing about?”
Lib Dem MP Tim Farron stated that there is “no excuse” for Mr. Musk’s remarks, adding, “I’m white and a Christian.” No one is throwing bricks at my church or begging me to go back home. I’m concerned about attacks on communities that are already under threat.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman stated that there is no basis for the original claim that “civil war is unavoidable,” adding, “We’re talking about a minority of thugs who do not speak for Britain.”
The row comes as there are rising concerns that social media is fueling the violent unrest that has erupted in UK cities over the last week.
It threatens to undermine government efforts to persuade social media companies to take a more active role in eliminating damaging content from their platforms.
Far-right riots in Manchester, Liverpool, and Hull resulted in hundreds of arrests, including those who set fire to refugee accommodation and clashed with police.
On Monday evening, science and technology secretary Peter Kyle met with the CEOs of X, Tiktok, Meta, and Google in an attempt to “make clear their responsibility to continue to work with us to stop the spread of hateful misinformation and incitement.”.
Following the murder of three young girls in Southport last week, social media messages erroneously claimed the culprit was a Muslim immigrant, sparking violence across the UK.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Monday that social media has labeled “rocket boosters” as far-right groups in terms of the “organisation, attention, and misinformation” surrounding the riots.