PM pressed to order inquiry into social media's riots role

Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to order an inquiry into social media to prevent platforms from turbo-charging future riots in the wake of the appalling scenes in recent days.

- KATE DEVLIN

Cabinet ministers have warned online posts acted as a “rocket booster” for the organisation of violence, while No 10 clashed with Elon Musk after the billionaire used his X platform to claim “civil war is inevitable” in Britain.

Vital lessons have to be learnt to stop social media “fuelling” similar outbreaks in the future, the Liberal Democrats said.

The prime minister has said the police should remain on “high alert” with fears of more trouble this weekend. Six thousand riot officers are to be deployed to potential hotspots, while almost 600 arrests have now been made in relation to the disorder.

Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, warned those "intent on violence and destruction have not gone away". He also suggested police patrols could be stepped up at lower league matches, following concerns of flare-ups at the start of the football season.

Sir Keir also warned those involved online that they would face the courts if they break the law as he told social media executives they should be “mindful” of the real-world consequences of the messages they publish. Ministers would have to “look more broadly at social media” in the wake of the riots, he added.

His warning came as Jordan Parlour, 28, a Facebook user who encouraged people to attack a hotel housing asylum seekers was jailed for 20 months for stirring up racial hatred at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.