Leeds MP urges internet providers to ban 'suicide website' linked to death of Whinmoor man Joe Nihill

Independent MP Richard Burgon highlighted the case of Joe Nihill, a 23-year-old former Army cadet from Whinmoor, Leeds, who took his own life after accessing the “horrific” website.

The MP for Leeds East noted the Government has suggested ISPs do not have to wait for measures in the Online Safety Act to be enacted and can introduce changes now.

He congratulated Sky and Three for taking action to block access to the site, but said the responses from others “weren’t quite as positive or as practical”.

Mr Burgon told the Commons: “Vodafone responded by saying that ‘where customers have adult content filters enabled, it’s blocked’.

“BT responded by saying that, ‘Our fixed network level broadband parental control settings for all ages block the site’.

“Virgin Media O2, their response to me really concerned me actually and I want to put this on the record.

“They originally came back to me saying they’d block this site if a court order told them to. I think we need to be clear about this – it’s not impressive to say, ‘If a court tells us to do something, we’ll do it’. A court order is a court order and you have no choice other than to comply.

“And Virgin Media O2 also referred to people changing settings so they can’t access this site.

“I think they need to get real because somebody who is in the mind to be considering taking their own life, somebody who is struggling to control that impulse is not likely to disable that setting to stop themselves from looking at that.”

He added: “Virgin Media O2 also referred in their reply to me to their partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).”

Mr Burgon contacted the IWF and said they replied to note: “We work with companies to block child sexual abuse material specifically so don’t work on suicide-related content, I’m afraid.”

The MP also said: “I then pressed Virgin Media O2 further and they said, ‘We will review the specific website you raise with us and consider if further action should be taken’.

“Of course further action should be taken, of course there are technological limits that sometimes mean a block can’t be 100% effective but lives can be saved and will be saved by restricting the number of people who access this site.”

A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson has responded saying that it takes the matter “very seriously” and has “a range of web filters” to prevent people from accessing unsuitable content.

He added: “I’d encourage all internet service providers to do the right thing and, in whatever way they can, block this specific site linked to 50 UK deaths.”

MPs heard a BBC investigation in October 2023 linked the site to at least 50 deaths in the UK.

Mr Burgon went on to seek assurances from the Government that online safety legislation, once regulator Ofcom’s powers are fully enacted, will deal with the site regardless of the number of people who access it and their age.

He said: “I find it very frustrating when the internet service providers are getting back to me referring to child protection. My constituent Joe was 23 when he took his own life.”

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Technology minister Feryal Clark said the Government welcomes efforts by all companies, including ISPs, in tackling “illegal content so that no more lives are tragically lost to suicide”.

She said the principal responsibility for the content “sits squarely with those who post such hateful content”, adding: “From spring next year, for the first time, social media platforms and search engines will have to proactively look for and take down illegal content.

“These codes will apply to sites big and small. If services don’t comply they could be hit by massive fines or Ofcom could, with the agreement of the courts, use business disruption measures, court orders that mean that third parties have to withdraw their services, or restrict or block access to non-compliant services in the UK.

“We have made intentionally encouraging or assisting suicide a priority offence under the Act.”

A BT spokesperson said in a statement: “The site in question is on our block list and has been for a significant time.

“This particular site, which we understand operates as a membership forum, is regulated by the Online Safety Act, and Ofcom may therefore require it to remove harmful content or to block access to the site entirely via a court order.”

A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: “We pride ourselves on being a responsible ISP and will block websites when ordered to do so by a court order or as part of our Internet Watch Foundation requirements.

“We take issues such as this very seriously and already provide customers with a range of web filters to help protect them from accessing unsuitable content online. These filters are switched on by default, and the website in question is included in these filters across our broadband and mobile services. This means that our customers, like those of some other providers, can use Web Safe to block this content.

“We are also continuing our work with Internet Matters, where as part of our Find the Right Words campaign, we provide advice to parents and guardians on how best to help their families stay safe"

Vodafone have been approached for comment.

– Samaritans are available on 116 123 or through their website.