Pittsburgh: Synagogue Attack

Lord Carlile of Berriew Excerpts

Monday 29th October 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Tonge (Non-Afl)]

My Lords—

[Lord Carlile of Berriew (CB)]

My Lords—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) (Con)]

We will hear from the Cross Benches.

[Lord Carlile of Berriew]

My Lords, given the clear evidence that the perpetrator of the Pittsburgh outrage posted anti-Semitic comments on the internet from time to time, is it not time that the Government took the internet service providers to one side and told them that it is their responsibility to remove this kind of outrageous material, or the Government will have to do it for them, with the support of both Houses of Parliament?

[Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth]

My Lords, the noble Lord is right. The message will not have been lost on the providers of social media. It is something we are making them aware of—we are seeking action. Some are more willing to assist than others, but it is clear that they have an overriding responsibility, and what has happened in Pittsburgh underlines that.