Attorney-general bans staff from using X due to platform’s racism and misogyny

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The Attorney General’s Office has banned its staff from using the social media platform X due to concerns over widespread racism and misogyny. This decision underscores the difficulties government officials face in maintaining respectful public discourse on platforms criticized for harmful content and signals a withdrawal from a previously active channel of communication.

The attorney-general has prohibited staff within his office from using the social media platform X, citing concerns over prevalent racism and misogyny. Lord Hermer confirmed the directive during a session with the Commons justice committee, stating that the Attorney General’s Office would discontinue engagement on the platform to maintain a higher standard of discourse.

The official Twitter handle of the Attorney General’s Office, which remains active but dormant since June 12, had previously been used for public communication. Hermer expressed his preference for "serious debate, detailed debate, respectful debate" and indicated that such discussions were difficult to sustain on a platform he described as frequently descending into harmful rhetoric.

When questioned by committee chair Andy Slaughter about whether other government ministers should follow suit, Lord Hermer acknowledged that while some departments and colleagues might find value in challenging issues directly on X, there were clear reasons for his office’s withdrawal.

This development follows broader scrutiny of the platform under Elon Musk’s ownership. Earlier this month, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Musk of fostering division on X in the wake of the murder of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student at Southampton University, suggesting the platform had been used to inflame tensions rather than promote constructive dialogue.

In addition to the announcement regarding social media use, Lord Hermer reaffirmed the government’s commitment to progressing legislation related to the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. The proposed legal measures would transfer control of the islands to Mauritius, continuing a longstanding diplomatic effort.

The move by the Attorney General’s Office reflects ongoing concerns within parts of the UK government about the use of X as a tool for public engagement amid criticism of its content moderation and ownership. The decision highlights the challenges faced by officials in balancing outreach with the risks posed by toxic online environments.

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