Government Calls for Action on Social Media Platforms Amid Spread of Immigration Lawyer Hitlist
The government has issued a stern warning to social media platforms, stating that they “clearly need to do far more” after a list containing the names and addresses of immigration lawyers began circulating online. Initially shared on the Telegram messaging app with the phrase “no more immigration,” the list has now spread to other platforms, causing alarm among legal professionals.
Immigration lawyers have reported being advised by police to take precautions such as working from home, boarding up office windows, and installing fireproof letterboxes. One lawyer on the list revealed that she had received repeated threats and messages from concerned colleagues, clients, and members of the public, warning her that she was “on a hitlist.”
Jim McMahon, minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, expressed his concern about the situation during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. The Law Society of England and Wales has deemed the list a “very credible threat” to its members, emphasizing the real-world consequences of anti-lawyer rhetoric.
The government has vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for spreading the list, with McMahon warning that individuals who “cross the line” will face the full force of the law, whether online or on the streets. The BBC has reached out to Telegram for comment on the spreading of the list but has yet to receive a response.
The incident comes in the wake of unrest triggered by the killing of three children at a holiday club in Southport, fuelled in part by far-right activists and online misinformation. Henry Parker from fact-checking firm Logically highlighted the challenges posed by the delay in implementing powers under the Online Safety Act to combat the spread of misinformation.
While the government is taking steps to address the issue, multiple teams are involved in the fight against misinformation, leading to potential delays in action. McMahon refrained from commenting on whether Telegram could be compelled to remove channels spreading the list or be blocked altogether, emphasizing the importance of allowing law enforcement to operate without political interference.
Law enforcement officials have urged the public to rely on official communications and avoid reacting to unverified information on social media. Ciaran O’Connor, an analyst at the online extremism think tank ISD, criticized Telegram for its hands-off approach to tackling disinformation and extremism on its platform, noting the dissemination of false and inflammatory content related to refugees, immigrants, and recent violent incidents.
As the government grapples with the challenges posed by online misinformation and extremism, the need for swift and effective action on social media platforms has become increasingly urgent.
