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Brianna Ghey's mother warns against watering down Online Safety Act to appease Trump
Tributes left during a vigil in Golden Square, Warrington, to mark the first anniversary of the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, February 11, 2024

THE mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has said any watering down of the government’s Online Safety Bill to appease US President Donald Trump would be “shocking.”

The government is currently putting together a trade agreement with the US and ministers have said that all options are “on the table.”

Esther Ghey has campaigned for an age limit on smartphone use after her 16-year-old transgender daughter was murdered by classmate Scarlett Jenkinson and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe.

Today she told the BBC: “While we are… questioning whether it’s strong enough or whether it should be watered down, young people are at harm, and young people are losing their lives.

“Young people shouldn’t be struggling with mental health because of what they are accessing online, and we really do need to take a hard stance on this.”

Ms Ghey has met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and previously his predecessor Rishi Sunak to discuss online child safety.

A government spokesperson said that online safety “are not part of the negotiation and our priority is getting them in place quickly and effectively, while exploring what more can be done to build a safer online world.”

It comes as Sir Keir prepares to frame an economic response to the global economic shock from Mr Trump’s tariffs.

He said he believes that the last few days have ushered in a “new era.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “MPs must be given a say on any government deal with Donald Trump.

“It would be deeply undemocratic if Parliament were to be sidelined on such a critical issue for the country.”

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