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Met Police Proposes Law Changes on Social Media Oversight

9/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Met Police, will propose law changes to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The changes seek to limit police oversight of social media comments without evidence of real harm.
Officers would have more discretion to apply "common sense" in managing complaints.
Proposals may decrease the recording of non-crime hate incidents, including minor cases.
Rowley's suggestions respond to the controversy surrounding Graham Linehan's arrest for a tweet.

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Story summary

Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Met Police, will propose law changes to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The changes seek to limit police oversight of social media comments without evidence of real harm.
Officers would have more discretion to apply "common sense" in managing complaints.
Proposals may decrease the recording of non-crime hate incidents, including minor cases.
Rowley's suggestions respond to the controversy surrounding Graham Linehan's arrest for a tweet.