Tech billionaire Elon Musk has intervened in British politics once again by posting images an offensive deleted tweet from a Labour MP.
Musk has been sparring with Sir Keir Starmer since last week after the prime minister blamed social media companies for allowing the spread of false claims the Southport stabbings suspect was an asylum seeker – which prompted riots across the UK.
The US billionaire, who has proclaimed free speech as a key goal of his takeover of Twitter, which he renamed X, has also expressed his disbelief that people who incite violence online are being prosecuted in the UK.
Now, Musk has turned his attention to a different political story.
Newly elected Labour MP Lauren Edwards apologised on Thursday after a series of offensive tweets from more than a decade ago resurfaced.
She said she had made a “significant error of judgement” which she “deeply regrets”, but did not directly cite the posts she meant.
Labour MP Lauren Edwards
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Unverified screenshots of the since-deleted tweets were circulating online.
On Friday, Musk reposted a screenshot from another X user of one of the deleted tweets from June 2009, along with Ms Edwards’ apology.
It reads: “I want these f***ing Estonian r*****s out of my flat now!”
He did not make a comment on the screenshots. With 193.4 million followers, the post was quickly seen by millions, and reposted and commented on by thousands.
Musk’s post has prompted criticism of Ms Edwards from around the world, with many saying she should be suspended and others saying she should be arrested.
One user said: “Top trolling.”
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Ms Edwards appeared to have deleted her X account on Friday, after posting her apology the day before.
Sir Keir has reiterated his view on those who incite violence online.
“This is not a law free zone. And I think that’s clear from the prosecutions and sentencing today for online behaviour,” he said.
“That’s a reminder to everyone that whether you’re directly involved or whether you’re remotely involved, you’re culpable and you will be put before the courts if you’ve broken the law.”
Between 2008 and 2013, Australian-born Ms Edwards worked as a parliamentary researcher for Labour MPs including Barbara Keeley, Teresa Pearce, and Lisa Nandy.
Jordan Parlour was the first person since the riots began to be convicted of publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred. Pic: West Yorkshire Police
On Thursday, Ms Edwards said: “I have recently been made aware of a small number of tweets that I posted on Twitter from over a decade ago, which I now deeply regret.
“They were a significant error of judgement on my part, and I apologise wholeheartedly.
“Since becoming a local councillor and more recently an MP, I have seen first-hand the importance of bringing communities together and working with tolerance and respect for all in our society.
“I pledge to use my platform to continue that important work and dedicate myself to serving all residents of Rochester and Strood.”
Sir Keir Starmer visited the Met Police’s Lambeth command and control centre on Friday. Pic: PA
Ms Edwards was elected as an MP at the general election in July with 15,403 votes.
She unseated Tory MP Kelly Tolhurst, who had represented the Kent constituency since 2015.