WASHINGTON (TN) — The worst unrest in Britain in years has been fuelled by online misinformation, with rumours that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for a stabbing that left three children dead and several injured at a Taylor Swift-themed event.
However, the suspect is a 17-year-old British citizen who was born in Wales to Rwandan parents.
The police chief is now threatening US citizens with extradition and prison sentences for online posts in which he allegedly incites violence from afar. A Sky News reporter asked London’s Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley about posts by Elon Musk on the subject.
Rowley replied: “We will use the full force of the law against people, and whether you commit crimes on the streets in this country or commit crimes further away on the internet, we will pursue you.”
British authorities have already arrested citizens of the country for online activities. For example, a 55-year-old woman was arrested for “publishing written materials inciting racial hatred” and “false communication”. Two other British men were also arrested for similar social media posts.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously warned, “I guarantee you will regret participating in these riots, whether directly or through those inciting this action online.”
“The government should absolutely arrest and prosecute anyone who engages in political violence… but in times of unrest, governments tend to exceed their authority and undermine civil liberties like free speech in the name of public safety,” said Aaron Terr of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
British freedom of speech laws differ from US laws.
While it is not impossible, it is highly unlikely that British authorities would take action against US social media users like Musk for violating British laws online.
