DONALD Trump’s US administration has attacked Britain for “serious restrictions” on free speech over the past year. 

It said that “the human rights situation worsened in the United Kingdom” during 2024. 

A US State Department report cites attempts to “chill speech” online in the wake of last summer’s Southport attack as well as the recent Online Safety Act that polices content on the internet. 

The report said: “Significant human rights issues included credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression, including enforcement of or threat of criminal or civil laws in order to limit expression; and crimes, violence, or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism.” 

One section also highlights arrests made in the wake of the Southport murders following social media commentary. 

Those held included Lucy Connolly, who was jailed after posting that migrant hotels should be burned down. 

Police at the time also told people not to speculate about the identity of the murderer Axel Rudakubana. 

The report called the “two-tier enforcement of these laws following the Southport attacks an especially grievous example of government censorship”. 

It added: “Censorship of ordinary Britons was increasingly routine, often targeted at political speech.”

Yesterday the UK Government said: “Free speech is vital for democracy around the world, including in the UK, and we are proud to uphold freedoms whilst keeping our citizens safe.” 

Mesnwhile, the National Police Chiefs’ Council issued new guidance yesterday encouraging forces to disclose the ethnicity of suspects in high-profile cases. 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it would provide greater transparency.