Investigation into racist message dropped after Twitter refused to assist – MP
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An investigation into an online racist threat was dropped because Twitter refused to co-operate with police, an MP has said.
The message, which referred to Labour MP David Lammy with a racial slur and threatened that he would “hang from a lamppost”, was sent in early August.
Mr Lammy, shadow secretary of state for justice, reported the tweet to the Metropolitan Police.
On Monday, Mr Lammy said: “I have just been informed by @metpoliceuk they have dropped their investigation into this threat because @Twitter has refused to assist in their investigation.”
Please explain why you are shielding vile racists who make death threats on your platform?
He tweeted the founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, and said: “Please explain why you are shielding vile racists who make death threats on your platform? #BlackLivesMatter.”
Mr Lammy later added: “You should not be able to push race hate and send death threats with impunity online. Shame on Twitter for failing to act with the Metropolitan Police to identify who sent this threat.
“#BlackLivesMatter has to be more than a slogan to drive traffic and ad revenue on your website.”
A Twitter spokesperson said: “We are co-operating with the Metropolitan Police, having now received and processed the correct information.”
The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.
When the racist tweet was first sent, it took several days for the account to be suspended and the messages removed.
Politicians, including Home Secretary Priti Patel and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, condemned the tweet.
Sir Keir said: “The racism David Lammy, black MPs and black people across our society are subjected to is disgraceful. Social media platforms must be quicker at taking action against hate. Racism has no place online or anywhere in our society.”
