Home Secretary Criticizes Tech Firms Over Violent Content Accessed by Southport Attacker

Yvette Cooper condemns social media platforms for failing to remove extremist material viewed by convicted murderer Axel Rudakubana.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has criticized social media companies for not removing violent and extremist content accessed by Axel Rudakubana, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of three young girls in Southport.

Rudakubana had viewed graphic footage of a knife attack and possessed an Al-Qaeda training manual prior to the July incident.

Despite government appeals, Cooper noted that such harmful content remains available online.

She emphasized the moral responsibility of tech firms to address this issue and highlighted the forthcoming Online Safety Act, which will require platforms to eliminate illegal material.

Cooper warned that the government is prepared to implement stricter measures if these companies fail to comply.

Rudakubana had been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism program multiple times between 2019 and 2021 and was known to authorities, including the police and social services.