Bishop stabbing video remains on X, inquiry told
A senior platform official stated the footage does not violate policies despite being watched by a killer before a mass murder.
A video showing a bishop being stabbed, which Axel Rudakubana watched minutes before he murdered three girls in Southport, continues to be available on the social media platform X. This was revealed during the second phase of the Southport Inquiry, which is investigating how individuals with violent fixations are managed and the influence of the internet.
Sheen Handoo, X's compliance and safety lead, stated that the video does not breach the platform's policies. She explained that content moderation decisions are based solely on X's guidelines and that the platform cannot make judgments based on external opinions. The footage remains on the site with a sensitivity warning for adult users in the UK.
Platform's Stance on Content
Ms Handoo offered her condolences to the victims and their families affected by the attack. When questioned by inquiry counsel Richard Boyle about whether this extended to an apology from X for Rudakubana viewing the video before his attack, she clarified her presence was to provide evidence. She stated her condolences were extended but could not speak for others at X.
She added that the video's continued presence on the platform is due to existing policies and enforcement protocols. Ms Handoo confirmed the footage does not cross the line into gratuitous gore, hence its classification with a sensitivity warning rather than removal.
The Southport Murders
Axel Rudakubana, aged 20, is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe. He was also convicted of the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.
The Southport Inquiry's current phase is focused on understanding the pathways into violence for individuals and the role online platforms play in radicalisation and the dissemination of violent content. The inquiry aims to establish how such incidents can be prevented in the future.
Questions this report answers
01Why does the video of the bishop being stabbed remain on X?
X's compliance and safety lead stated the video does not violate the platform's policies. Decisions on content moderation are based solely on X's guidelines and enforcement protocols, and the video is considered not to cross the line into gratuitous gore, though it carries a sensitivity warning.
02What is the Southport Inquiry examining?
The Southport Inquiry is examining how individuals with violent fixations are managed and the role the internet plays in influencing and enabling them. It is looking into the pathways into violence and how such incidents can be prevented.
03Who was convicted for the Southport murders?
Axel Rudakubana, aged 20, was convicted for the murders of three girls and the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults. He is currently serving a life sentence for these crimes.
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