Elon Musk has intensified his clash with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of endorsing “two-tier” policing in provocative and conspiratorial tweets that have elicited an immediate outcry. Here’s the full story.
Intensifying Attacks
Just hours after Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, formerly Twitter, attacked Keir Starmer for his handling of the recent riots which have gripped the nation, Musk intensified his attack on the Prime Minister.
Two-Tier Policing Allegations
Musk, who is rapidly becoming a cautionary tale against the dangers of online radicalisation, accused Starmer of endorsing a “two-tier” policing system – a conspiracy theory promoted by far-right agitators which asserts that the police give preferential treatment to minority communities over white far-right protesters.
“Civil War Is Inevitable”
Musk’s comments came only hours after he had claimed on X that “civil war is inevitable” on X, which forced Starmer’s spokesperson to condemn the comments, arguing that there was “no justification” for them.
Aligning With Far-Right
Musk, who has increasingly aligned himself with the far-right activists, stirred up controversy after reposting a video which appeared to show a man being arrested for making offensive comments on Facebook.
“Is This Britain?”
Musk shared the video with the caption, “Arrested for making comments on Facebook! Is this Britain or the Soviet Union?”
Fact-Checking Request
In a rare case Musk actually requested that Community Notes, X’s fact-checking feature, look into the video’s authenticity. If the video were to be verified, the man’s actions would fall under the UK’s laws against improper use of the electronic communications network, which covers grossly offensive or menacing messages.
Whataboutism Deployed
Musk would later use whataboutism, a logical fallacy in which an accusation is responded to with a counter-accusation instead of a defence against the original allegation, to accuse Starmer of defending the rights of some protesters over that of others.
“Two-Tier Kier”
Posting a video of what appeared to be pro-Palestinian protesters, Musk asked Stamer, “Why aren’t all communities protected in Britain?” Musk then called Starmer “two-tier Kier,” referencing the two-tier policing conspiracy theory.
Ignorance of UK Laws
Had Musk performed a search online, he would have found that protest laws in the UK have recently been strengthened to draconian levels, with five environmental activists recently jailed for four to five years for their part in planning a protest.
UN Reactions
Their imprisonment led to a rare rebuke from UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk, who stated that it was “deeply troubling.” Similarly, Michel Forst, the UN special rapporteur for environmental defenders, denounced the new laws that facilitated their sentences as “not acceptable in a democracy.”
Government Refutes Claims
Following the outrage caused by Musk’s increasingly conspiratorial posts, the UK government has been quick to refute Musk’s claims of a two-tier policing system.
“Full Force of the Law”
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood wrote on X, “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re protesting—if you turn up in a mask, with a weapon, intent on causing disorder, you will face the full force of the law.”
Role of Misinformation
Misinformation online has played a significant role in fueling the riots, with misinformation circulating rapidly online which claimed that the suspect in the Southport stabbings was a Muslim refugee, a claim that has been debunked. The actual suspect, Axel Rudakubana, was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and had no refugee background.
Media Challenges Musk
Musk, who has frequently blamed the mainstream media for promoting what he calls false narratives, was challenged over his comments by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, the Channel 4 newsreader, who tweeted Musk, writing, “Do you want to do an interview about this? You are causing a lot of waves here in Britain at a very dangerous time.”
BBC’s Request for Interview
Similarly, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, also contacted Musk on X, writing, “I’ve repeatedly asked you for an interview. You accuse the media of not holding power to account. I want to ask you questions about your site and its role fanning the flames of UK riots. Will you speak to me?”
Starmer’s Promise
In response to the ongoing violence, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “Be in no doubt, those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law. The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow and convictions will follow.”
“Organised, Violent Thuggery”
He added, “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves. This is not a protest, it is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”
Musk Remains Untouchable
However, despite Starmer’s promise of retribution, Elon Musk remains one of the most powerful men on the planet, shielded from consequences by billions of dollars.
Future Uncertain
It remains to be seen what, if anything, the UK government can do to stop him spreading dangerous conspiracy theories online.
10 Worst Places to Live in the UK Today
Here’s a look at the 10 worst places to live in the UK, based on statistical analysis and local sentiment, to help you understand the challenges residents may face in these areas. 10 Worst Places to Live in the UK Today
“We Will Never Come to Help You” – Trump’s Hurtful Words Raise Concerns About EU Firepower
It was revealed in a conference in Brussels that former President Donald Trump said in 2020 that the US would “never help” Europe if it was attacked. Now, European nations are grouping to commit more firepower to combat Putin’s threat to democracy. “We Will Never Come to Help You” – Trump’s Hurtful Words Raise Concerns About EU Firepower
Brexit Fallout: 20 Ways the EU Is Falling Apart Without the UK
Since Brexit, the EU has been grappling with multiple crises and internal conflicts. Can the bloc hold itself together in these turbulent times? Brexit Fallout: 20 Ways the EU Is Falling Apart Without the UK
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Frederic Legrand – COMEO.
Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.