Government drops plans to block social media during civil unrest

The government has formally dropped prime minister David Cameron's proposal to temporarily shut down social media used to organise disorder.

Spokeswoman Baroness Browning confirmed in the Lords: "The government is committed to a free and open internet. We are not seeking additional powers to close down social media networks."

She was replying to exchanges following the meeting with leading police commanders and representatives of social media called by home secretary Theresa May in the wake of the August riots.

Cameron and May both suggested that consideration should be given to action after seeing evidence that various networks were used to organise trouble.

The prime minister told MPs during an emergency recall of Parliament that his government will examine "whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these web sites and services when we know they are plotting violence".

During the Lords exchanges, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Miller said a balance must be struck between catching those abusing social media and a wholesale surveillance operation which would be "unacceptable". She added that police should not have power to disable Twitter.

However, former Labour security minister Lord West of Spithead said it would be "madness" if police and security agencies do not examine what can be done and urged police to use information from social media to protect the public.

Browning said social media companies have indicated a commitment to removing illegal content and closing accounts where appropriate.

She said police and investigatory agencies will comply with existing legislation. According to Browning, Cameron has not said he wants to close down networks but will work to see what can be done to prevent criminality.