A Free Speech Union chief has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister flirted with the idea of banning Elon Musk’s X.
Downing Street threatened a crackdown on the social media network over the creation of sexualised AI images on the site’s AI bot, Grok.
But Toby Young has criticised the “over-the-top” move, predicting that the ban could well be short-lived.
Speaking to Matt Goodwin, Lord Young predicted: “I think what’s likely to happen is that Keir Starmer is going to announce he’s going to do it.
“He’s going to start to do it, and then he’s going to do a U-turn because that’s the way he rolls.
“It’s hard to take seriously. Keir Starmer’s furrowed-browed condemnation of X, in the name of protecting children, because Grok has been making these sexualised images.
“I mean, every AI can do that. Every AI can put a woman in a bikini. Grok is not unique in that respect.
“X has taken steps to modify Grok to make sure it doesn’t create sexualized images of children or of women without their consent.
Toby Young blasted No10’s ‘disproportionate’ response on GB News
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“It seems like a completely over-the-top, disproportionate reaction.
“What’s prompting it is that X is seen as a platform for the enemies of this Government, because it’s a free speech platform.
“Elon Musk is a convenient bogeyman that Labour Ministers not just in the Commons, but in the Lords, like to point their finger at and know that they’re going to get a cheer from their own benches.”
Laying out the argument why Sir Keir should steer clear of such a ban, Sir Toby argued that the £56billion tech trade deal between Britain and the US, “announced with great fanfare”, should be protected.
Downing Street has threatened a crackdown on Elon Musk’s social platform
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He added: “I think the Government is putting quite a few of their hopes for this year for the economy to grow on this particular deal.
“That deal has been put on hold precisely because Ofcom has been sabre-rattling towards American tech companies, particularly over the issue of AI.
“Ofcom seems to think that US-based AI should have to comply with the entire panoply of Britain’s censorship laws. And I don’t think that’s likely to happen.
“And the more Starmer insists that Ofcom pursue that, the less likely that trade deal is to get done.”
Nor is the Labour leader immune from criticism across the Atlantic, with Republican congresswoman and Donald Trump ally warning Britain that she would progress legislation targeting the UK – and Sir Keir personally – if the ban comes to fruition.
Ms Luna said: “If Starmer is successful in banning X in Britain, I will move forward with legislation that is currently being drafted to sanction not only Starmer, but Britain as a whole.”
She said this would “mirror actions previously taken by the United States in response to foreign Governments restricting the platform”, pointing to sanctions imposed on a Brazilian judge who temporarily blocked X in 2024.
These US measures included “tariffs, visa revocations, and sanctions and consequences tied to free speech concerns”.
“Starmer should reconsider this course of action, or there will be consequences,” Ms Luna warned.
“Let’s be clear: this is not about technical compliance. This is a political war against Elon Musk and free speech—nothing more,” the US lawmaker added.