The U.K. government has responded critically to Elon Musk’s controversial comments regarding the recent riots fueled by far-right and anti-immigration sentiments across the country. Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, took to social media platform X to express his views on the situation, stating that “Civil war is inevitable.” This remark was met with swift condemnation by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other government officials.
In response to Musk’s comments, Prime Minister Starmer’s spokesperson emphasized that there is no justification for such inflammatory remarks. The spokesperson highlighted that the violent disorder seen on the streets is the result of organized illegal thuggery and that it does not represent the values of the country. The PM’s official stance is that the sentiments expressed by Musk are not shared by the government or the majority of the British population.
Heidi Alexander, the U.K.’s courts minister, urged individuals with platforms on social media, like Musk, to behave responsibly and refrain from making unjustified statements. She noted that associating the riots with civil war is harmful and unhelpful in addressing the current situation. Additionally, U.K.’s technology minister, Peter Kyle, has engaged with social media companies to address the spread of misinformation related to the riots.
The U.K. government has already implemented the Online Safety Act in an effort to regulate harmful content on the internet. However, the regulator, Ofcom, is currently limited in its enforcement capabilities due to certain powers of the act not yet being in force. There is a push for quick implementation of these powers so that social media platforms can be held accountable for disseminating misleading and inflammatory content.
Despite the backlash, Elon Musk has continued to comment on the U.K. riots, sharing videos and resharing content on his social media platform. Musk’s decision to allow previously suspended individuals, like Tommy Robinson, back onto X has also drawn criticism. Robinson, known for his far-right views, was banned from the platform in 2018 and his reinstatement has raised concerns about the platform’s content moderation policies.
The U.K. government’s response to Elon Musk’s comments on the recent riots underscores the importance of responsible behavior on social media platforms. The ongoing unrest in the country highlights the need for increased efforts to combat misinformation and incendiary content online. As discussions continue between government officials and social media companies, it remains to be seen how the situation will be addressed and resolved in the coming days.