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.
The unit sits within the Homeland Security Group, whose “mission is to reduce national security risks to the UK’s people, prosperity and freedoms”. “It focuses on the highest harm risks to the homeland, whether from terrorists, state actors, or cyber and economic criminals,” according to the official government website.
A government source told the Mirror: “We keep a close eye on how disinformation and hate can proliferate, including online.”
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.