Civil servants blasted for 'trying to censor criticism and immigration debate'

Civil servants have been accused of trying to censor criticism and debate about immigration during last year's riots after the Southport stabbings. However, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) doubled down on the claims officials intervened and said it would make "no apologies" for flagging potentially harmful content.

Republican US congressman Jim Jordan posted emails to X accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of trying "to censor criticism of itself and debate about immigration" during the riots. In one email, which DSIT did not deny had been sent by a member of its staff, a civil servant commended "proactive efforts" to deal with "misleading and false claims in relation to this incident feeding community tensions on a local level".

The anonymous civil servant added: "I am sure you will not be surprised at the significant volumes of anti-immigrant content directed at Muslim and Jewish communities as well as concerning narratives about the police and a 'two-tier' system."

The department asked social media firms to tell it about "any measures you have taken in response".

In response, DSIT told the Express it would make "no apologies for flagging to platforms content which is contrary to their own terms of service and which can result in violent disorder on our streets, as we saw in the wake of the horrific Southport attack".

A government spokesman argued the department had no role in deciding whether posts be taken down, saying that was a matter for social media companies according to their own rules.

However, the spokesman admitted using the Government's so-called "trusted flagger status" - which guarantees them a priority response from social media firms - to highlight posts it believed breached the platforms' terms of service.

Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice said DSIT's confession was "appalling".

He blasted: "I am appalled, but not surprised, that DSIT, a UK government department, delights in confirming it is censoring criticism of government performance.

"It admits it is shutting down claims of two-tier policing and two-tier justice."

Allegations of two-tier policing have persisted since the riots, with many arguing that those involved were treated far more harshly by the criminal justice system than other criminals.

US billionaire Elon Musk was among those branding the Prime Minister "two-tier Keir".

Mr Tice has cited the 31-month incarceration of Lucy Connolly as further proof of "two-tier" justice, as she remains locked up despite more serious criminals receiving lesser sentences.

Following the riots, Sir Keir warned social media companies that they must uphold laws that ban incitement of violence.

Sir Keir told big tech firms: "Violent disorder clearly whipped up online: that is also a crime. It's happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere."

"It's an amazing opportunity that we all enjoy ... There is also a responsibility that goes with it. That's a space for a mature conversation to take place."