Key facts
- Elon Musk is accused by the Labour Party of inciting tensions ahead of riots in Belfast.
- The riots involved houses, cars, and a bus being set on fire.
- Musk shared posts from far-right activist Tommy Robinson encouraging protests.
- Labour Party Chair Anna Turley called Musk's actions "appalling" and "grievously wrong."
- The riots followed a knife attack for which a suspect has been charged.
The British government, through Labour Party Chair Anna Turley, has criticized X owner Elon Musk, accusing him of exacerbating tensions online prior to riots that occurred in Belfast. The disorder, which saw houses, cars, and a bus set ablaze on Tuesday evening, was reportedly a response to a knife attack in the Northern Irish capital. A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack and is due to appear in court.
Musk, who has been a vocal critic of the Labour government, had posted on his X platform ahead of the unrest, stating, “Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!” He had also shared a post from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which listed locations for protests.