Full Breakdown
Labour Seeks New Ofcom Powers to Police Social Media After Belfast Knife Attack
6/11/2026, 8:56:15 AM
The Proposed Legal Amendments
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced a plan to amend the Online Safety Act so that the communications regulator Ofcom can intervene more quickly when “times of crisis” arise. The amendment would require platforms to remove illegal material that could “incite violence or disorder,” extending beyond explicit calls for violence to potentially include graphic footage of the Belfast attack. The proposal does not specify who will designate a “time of crisis” or the exact criteria for triggering the powers.
Background: Existing Online-Safety Framework
The Online Safety Act already obliges platforms to protect users from illegal content. Under the current regime, Ofcom has issued fines to several firms and launched nearly 100 investigations, including action against the chatbot Grok earlier this year. The government has framed the legislation as a starting point for ongoing regulation of online harms.
Key Actors
- Liz Kendall – Labour Technology Secretary, sponsor of the amendment.
- Ofcom – Regulator to receive expanded enforcement powers.
- Elon Musk – Owner of X, whose posts about the Belfast incident have drawn ministerial criticism.
- Matt Goodwin – Reform UK politician, vocal critic of the focus on social-media regulation.
- Anna Turley – Labour Party chair, urging restraint from platform owners.
- Sir Keir Starmer – Leader of the Opposition, pledging to act against division.
- Sir Ed Davey – Liberal Democrat leader, calling for action against “extremists” exploiting grief.
- Prime Minister’s official spokesman – Highlighting existing fines and investigations.
Data & Statistics
- Nearly 100 investigations have been opened under the Online Safety Act since its enactment.
- Ofcom reports that some of the disorder in Belfast “appears to have been incited online,” citing racially motivated violence, arson attacks on homes and vehicles, and assaults on police officers.
Official Statements & Responses
Kendall said the government will “look at everything” to curb disinformation, misinformation, and foreign interference that may stoke civil unrest. She emphasized that platforms must act swiftly to remove illegal content during crises. In the Commons, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division.” The Prime Minister’s spokesman reiterated that the Online Safety Act is “the start, not the end of the conversation,” pointing to existing fines and investigations as evidence of enforcement. Sir Ed Davey urged action against “extremists” who exploit grief, while Anna Turley warned that public figures have a responsibility to promote calm rather than inflame tensions.
Criticism & Opposition
Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin argued that the focus on social-media regulation distracts from what he sees as the root cause of public anger: “mass uncontrolled immigration and open borders.” Critics also warn that the amendments could spark a free-speech dispute with the United States, given concerns about government-directed censorship of platforms such as X.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Those who use social media to incite violence and disorder are breaking the law. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say” — Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary
- “Exactly.” — Elon Musk, owner of X
- “Sir Keir Starmer responded: "We will crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division.” — Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the Opposition
- “‘And we’ve always said that that Act is the start, not the end of the conversation,’ he said, referring to the legislation designed to protect people online.” — Prime Minister’s official spokesman
What’s Next
Parliament is scheduled to debate the amendment next week. Ofcom has been asked to hold urgent discussions with X and other platforms to determine compliance pathways. The outcome will shape how quickly illegal content can be removed during future incidents deemed “times of crisis.”
