cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/22559111
The Government's counter-extremism unit has been assessing the risk posed to Britain by tweets shared by Elon Musk in recent weeks, the Mirror understands.
The tech billionaire has been using his platform X/Twitter to launch a barrage of attacks on the Labour government over the grooming gangs scandal. It comes as extremism experts warn that the toxicity of social media could once again trigger violence on our streets.
The Mirror understands the Home Office has stepped up extra monitoring to assess content and the reach of what is being shared on social media site X, especially in relation to accounts with large followings - including Mr Musk's. The counterterrorism unit has been involved in content analysis and wider risk assessment.
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It is understood monitoring has been ramped up following Mr Musk’s vile attacks on safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. Ms Phillips has admitted Mr Musk - a key aide to Donald Trump - was "endangering" her after labelling her a "rape genocide apologist" and calling for her to be jailed. She has reportedly had close protection officers assigned to her and has been advised not to go out in public alone following the increased threats to her safety.
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Fears over Mr Musk’s interference in UK politics increased on Thursday after reports emerged that he was looking at ways to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. Sources told the Financial Times Mr Musk believes that “western civilisation itself is threatened” and is examining how he can destabilise the Labour government beyond his aggressive X posts.
Joe Mulhall, director of research at campaign group Hope not hate, said “clearly this is naked foreign interference” and that Mr Musk “comfortably sits within any definition of an extremist”. He told the Mirror: “He is an international extremist and if he wasn't a billionaire and he wasn't close to the Trump administration, I imagine, probably wouldn't even be allowed into the UK at the moment.