London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for stricter regulations on social media platforms to combat the rise of Islamophobia and racial hatred, which he attributes to the inflammatory rhetoric of right-wing politicians and media outlets. In a recent interview, Khan criticized Conservative and far-right politicians for their use of extremist language that has fueled racial tensions, leading to riots across the UK. He specifically pointed to the former Conservative Home Secretary and Reform Party leaders, who have made derogatory statements about Muslims, contributing to an environment of fear and division.
Khan expressed concern over the impact of these statements on social media, where disinformation and hate speech have been rapidly amplified. He emphasized that while the social media regulation passed last year was a step in the right direction, it has not been fully implemented, leaving gaps that allow for the spread of harmful content. Khan called for an urgent review of these regulations to ensure they are fit for purpose, stressing the need for immediate action to curb the spread of lies and hatred online.
The London Mayor praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s handling of the recent riots, noting that over 1,000 arrests had been made and that the government had taken a tough stance against those involved in the violence. However, he insisted that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities, particularly Muslims, who have been targeted by far-right groups.
Khan’s comments came during a visit to The Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in west London, where he met with mosque leaders to discuss the security measures being taken in response to the riots. He announced additional funding for security training sessions at mosques across the capital and welcomed the reopening of the Government’s Mosque Security Scheme. This initiative, which provides rapid security support to buildings vulnerable to hate crimes, has been bolstered by the government’s Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, with up to £29.4 million allocated to fund security at mosques and Muslim faith schools.
The Mayor also highlighted the importance of community cohesion in tackling hate crimes and announced new partnerships with grassroots organizations to provide support and safety advice to Muslim communities. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety of all Londoners, stating that London stands united against racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism.
Khan’s call for tougher social media regulations reflects growing concerns about the role of online platforms in spreading hate speech and disinformation. As incidents of racial and religious violence increase, there is mounting pressure on social media companies and governments to take more decisive action to address these issues. Khan’s proactive stance on this issue underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling hate crimes and ensuring the safety and security of all communities in London.
