Musk Escalates Clash with UK Leadership, Coins ‘#TwoTierKeir’ Amidst Rising National Unrest

Elon Musk has labeled Keir Starmer as 'two-tier Keir' and questioned whether the UK or the Soviet Union was the setting, following the arrest of an individual who commented on Facebook. The tycoon used the hashtag #twotierKeir in his post about the British Prime Minister, alluding to allegations of "two-tier policing" – a term frequently employed by the far-right to accuse the police of biased treatment towards different segments of society.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 22:31

Elon Musk has escalated his conflict with the UK, labeling the Prime Minister as "two-tier Keir" and questioning whether he was in "Britain or the Soviet Union" following the reported arrest of an individual for comments made on Facebook.

The billionaire who owns X has been caught up in a heated exchange with Sir Keir Starmer regarding the riots unfolding across the UK, amid worries that misinformation spread online is exacerbating the situation.

Latest Updates on UK Unrest: Police Monitor 30 Emerging Protests, Legal Firms Receive Threats

In his most recent criticism, Musk shared a video that seems to depict police detaining a man due to derogatory remarks he made on Facebook.

"Musk announced on X that he was arrested for posting comments on Facebook!"

"Are we in the UK or in the USSR? Is this correct, @Community Notes?"

Community Notes is X's dedicated platform for verifying facts.

In the footage, a policeman is seen informing an individual that he is being detained on grounds of misuse of the electronic communications network.

This pertains to transmitting a message that is extremely insulting or that is vulgar, lewd, or threatening in nature, and it can lead to a penalty of up to six months in prison or a fine.

For an enhanced video experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

In a subsequent message that targeted Sir Keir specifically, Musk inquired, "why aren't all communities safeguarded in Britain?"

The footage seemed to depict a sizeable group of individuals, all wearing masks, congregated near a bar, with a few among them brandishing the flag of Palestine.

On Monday, following Sir Keir's declaration of zero tolerance for assaults on Muslim communities, Musk aimed a comparable remark at the prime minister.

Over the past week, mosques and hotels accommodating asylum seekers have become focal points of disturbances throughout the UK.

In a separate tweet, Musk included the hashtag #twotierKeir, alluding to the concept of "two-tier policing". This term is frequently employed by the far-right to argue that the police apply different standards to different groups.

Labour leader Sir Keir and former Conservative cabinet minister Dame Priti Patel, both high-profile figures, have dismissed allegations concerning this matter. Meanwhile, Neil Basu, who previously led the UK's counter-terrorism efforts, has described the language used as "extremely risky."

Discover more: Exploring Starmer's 'standing army'—its effectiveness and purpose. Unpacking how the far-right took over the protests in Southport.

The conflict with Musk began when he stated that a "civil war is inevitable" in the UK, a remark that was swiftly criticized by government officials.

Previously, Justice Minister Heidi Alexander spoke to Sky News, emphasizing that "it's important for everyone to seek calm in these circumstances."

"She also mentioned that she believes the rhetoric suggesting a civil war is inevitable is completely unfounded."

For optimal video playback, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

The unrest commenced in Southport last Tuesday following the tragic stabbings of three girls in the Merseyside town, and has since expanded to various towns and cities throughout the UK.

The dispute involving Musk could potentially undermine governmental initiatives aimed at compelling social media firms to increase their efforts in eliminating dangerous content online, which is suspected of fueling various acts of violence.

Online false claims stated that the individual apprehended for the Southport assaults was a Muslim refugee who entered the UK last year on a small boat.

Axel Rudakubana, a young man who faced arrest and charges from law enforcement, originally hails from Cardiff where he was born to parents of Rwandan descent, later relocating to a small village close to Southport.

Sir Keir has emphasized that individuals promoting violence, regardless of whether it's conducted through digital means or in person, "will be met with the strictest legal consequences."

Mr. Basu has indicated that the most severe incidents of far-right violence ought to be considered acts of terrorism, and he described Musk's remarks as "quite disgraceful."

Associated Subjects

Sky News Bottom Section

Information on Sky News

Services Offered by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites