Most X Accounts Posting on Belfast and Southampton Unrest Were Based Outside UK, Analysis Finds

An analysis of thousands of X accounts posting about June’s unrest in Belfast and Southampton found that most popular accounts were based outside the UK. Among 8,672 accounts with posts exceeding 1,000 views, only about 45% showed locations in the UK, while a significant share came from the US and other European countries. The Guardian reported that its review also found many posts included racist or anti-immigration comments and, in Belfast cases, calls for violence—highlighting concerns about foreign amplification and influence during flashpoints.