Musk denies blame for Belfast disorder, blames immigration policy
17 reported
Elon Musk has rejected claims that he is to blame for inciting disorder in Belfast, according to a report. In a post on X, the platform he owns, Musk retweeted a post from Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin that blamed “mass uncontrolled immigration & open borders” for inflaming tensions, adding his own comment: “Exactly.” Social media platform X is among those contacted by the communications regulator Ofcom about online content potentially linked to the violence. Technology secretary Liz Kendall said she had asked Ofcom to discuss with platforms how they will comply with the Online Safety Act. Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division” amid criticism of Musk and social media’s role in the violence. Ofcom said some of the disorder “appears to have been incited online,” including racially motivated incidents, arson attacks, and attacks against police. The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned that social media users posting addresses online are “putting lives at risk” and may be committing a criminal offence. A Cabinet Office minister told peers that 27 people were made homeless in Northern Ireland “because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals.”
What’s reported
Elon Musk rejected claims he is to blame for inciting disorder in Belfast.
Musk retweeted a post from Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin blaming immigration policy, adding “Exactly.”
Ofcom said some disorder “appears to have been incited online,” including racially motivated incidents, arson, and attacks against police.
Technology secretary Liz Kendall said she asked Ofcom to discuss Online Safety Act compliance with platforms.
Keir Starmer vowed to “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division.”
PSNI warned that posting addresses online “is putting lives at risk” and may be a criminal offence.
Cabinet Office minister Ruth Anderson said 27 people were made homeless “because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals.”
A two-month-old was the youngest victim moved from her home, according to Anderson.
A government source said Immigration Enforcement will intensify to track down and remove illegal migrants in Northern Ireland.
The home secretary is investing £3.7 billion into Immigration Enforcement over the next 3 years.
Nearly 1,000 people residing illegally have been removed in the last year.
Asylum seekers in supported accommodation in Northern Ireland decreased by 6% from 2,530 in June 2024 to 2,379 in March 2026.
An “electronic device” was found hidden in a government building; reports suggested it was a camera.
Home Office minister Lord Hanson said the device was found in a communal area at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Ugandan care workers Sumayah Nakazibwe and Stella Ariokot were barricaded in their home near Crumlin Road in north Belfast for four hours during the disorder.
Andy Burnham said he favours a cap on political donations.
Nigel Farage said he is “open” to an AV plus model of proportional representation but wants to fix electoral integrity first.
Key figures
Elon Musk, owner of X
Matt Goodwin, Reform UK candidate
Liz Kendall, technology secretary
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Ruth Anderson, Cabinet Office minister
Lord Hanson of Flint, Home Office minister
Sumayah Nakazibwe, Ugandan care worker
Stella Ariokot, Ugandan care worker
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and Labour candidate
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Sources: The Guardian
