Letter: Reporting Restrictions Are Important – We Must Use Social Media Responsibly

Published on: 2 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 2 Feb, 2026

Murder victim Luis Guembes

From Angela Richardson

former Conservative MP for Guildford

In response to: Should We and Can We Protect the Identity of Teenage Murder Suspects?

The short answer to the question posed in the headline is yes, even in the most horrific crimes, due process must be followed, otherwise it puts justice at risk for the victim and their family.

The opinion piece is a timely reminder that posting information online, in contempt of court, is a serious offence and individuals can be prosecuted.

In answer to witness statements, our police may not be able to catch every infringement online and have it taken down, but they can carry out their investigations calling for witnesses and alibis in the usual way.

Those who moderate Facebook groups have an enormous responsibility to take down content if they have been notified it is in contempt. If the community knows, it knows and a case will be presented for prosecution regardless of whether the accused are named formally or not by the Judge.

We treat children differently under the law for good reasons that have been in statute long, long before the advent of social media, but not long before vigilante justice which has always been with us.

Does our criminal justice system always get it right? No it doesn’t, but it is far better than alternatives. My heart goes out to Gabriel’s family and their pain at his life cut drastically short in the most violent way.

What I would hope is that this case will be brought to trial swiftly for the sake of everyone involved.