X has offered its first expression of regret over the Southport attack but will not remove a video of a bishop being stabbed that was watched by Axel Rudakubana minutes before he murdered three girls, an inquiry has heard.
The compliance and safety lead for Elon Musk's platform said the video does not violate its policies and "we cannot make judgment" based on opinions outside X's rules.
Apology and condolences at inquiry
Sheen Handoo was giving evidence to the Southport Inquiry's second phase, which is examining how violence-fixated individuals are managed and the role of the internet in influencing and enabling them.
Her evidence started with an apology, and counsel asked if it amounted to an apology from X for the fact Rudakubana watched the video of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel before the attack, which she said it did not.
Rudakubana, 20, is 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; as well as the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.
Video remains on platform
Ms Handoo, who joined X in 2020 when it was called Twitter, said: "I would first like to offer my sincere condolences to the victims, families and everyone in Southport that was affected by this horrific attack."
Richard Boyle, for the inquiry, called it "the first expression of regret that we have had from X about its very close connection to the Southport attack" and asked why nothing had been said before now. Ms Handoo replied that she was present to provide evidence and help as much as she possibly could.
Later in proceedings, Ms Handoo confirmed that the footage "is still live and is subject to the sensitivity warning" for adult UK users. Asked if the platform has reviewed its approach, she said: "This particular video – while it's unfortunate that people may have viewed this video before committing a certain crime – it does not violate our policies and we cannot make judgment based on, you know... that are outside of our policy."
Inquiry criticism and policy stance
Ms Handoo was repeatedly asked if she agrees the clip was "horrific and very violent" and captured "a very ferocious attack". She said she would not want to watch it, which is why the platform has controls for people who do not want to see such content.
An excerpt of the final report of the first inquiry phase, written by retired judge Sir Adrian Fulford, was read to Ms Handoo. It said: "I make clear that I do not suggest that X has acted unlawfully in this regard. UK law currently permits it to act in this way."
The report added that X maintained its position once it knew the material had been searched for by Rudakubana minutes before he left to murder Elsie, Alice and Bebe, and that a prohibition of the most graphic part would have been consistent with X's statement that it takes its "responsibility to combat terrorism and violent extremism very seriously". Asked if X considered amending its policies after the report, Ms Handoo said: "When we were reviewing these escalations again, we continued to enforce our policy as it is written." After several questions asking if she would request a team to review the policy, she said: "I will."
