‘Repost hateful messages about disorder online and you could end up in court’

Reposting hateful messages about violent disorder on social media could mean you end up in court, Britain’s top prosecutor has warned.

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson also said extradition would “of course” be considered for people posting online about inciting UK riots while out of the country if it is “serious criminality”.

Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: “Anyone stirring up hateful or threatening activity on social media is potentially contributing to the violent disorder on our streets.

“You may be committing a crime if you repost, repeat or amplify a message which is false, threatening, or stirs up racial/religious hatred.