Stan Collymore hits out at Twitter for failing to supply police with racist tweeters' identities
Stan Collymore has slammed Twitter for failing to provide UK police with information that could help apprehend users who have been bombarding him with racist and threatening abuse.
Collymore is now a radio and tv broadcaster
The former footballer has published an email which he claims shows how powerless police are when handling abuse cases on the social network.
This comes after Staffordshire Police today let four teenagers who had sent Collymore racist and abusive tweets earlier this year off with a warning.
In the last few days, the ex-Liverpool forward has recieved highly offensive tweets from anonymous individuals.
Collymore, now a radio and TV presenter, was angry this afternoon when Twitter claimed they could not contact Staffordshire Police, who dropped their probe into his abuse.
So either Police or Twitter are telling porkies, or expect "some misunderstanding" bullshit. Not good enough. pic.twitter.com/klg57b8NIb
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 29, 2014
Nevertheless, Collymore was understanding towards the police's situation and called for a change to UK law.
Cannock and Staffordshire Police have been exceptional. It's Twitter refusing to give info. Twitter, beyond UK law. For now. — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 28, 2014
.@StaffsPolice says an investigation into racist and abusive tweets sent to @StanCollymore has ended. It can't get hold of user information. — BBC Radio Stoke (@BBCRadioStoke) July 28, 2014
On the abuse, chief inspector Steve Morrey, said: "A thorough and detailed investigation was launched by Staffordshire Police following the abuse directed at Mr Collymore on Twitter earlier this year.
"After inquiries were carried out four juveniles were located and dealt with through restorative justice. Mr Collymore was aware of this and happy with the process."
However Morrey remarked that it was very difficult to apprehend those responsible for abuse on the social network.
"Despite repeated requests for information made to Twitter regarding a number of other users we wanted to speak to in connection with this matter Twitter have not supplied it.
"We have also tried to obtain this information via other social media networks but to no avail. Therefore all lines of inquiry have been exhausted. The matter will be reviewed should any new information come to light.
Many took to Twitter to express their disgust with the sentiment commonly directed at the footballer.
Negligent @twitter administration allowing the racist abuse @StanCollymore receives from neanderthals is a disgrace. Sort it out @twitter — Steve Aitken (@legio10) July 27, 2014
Comedian Ricky Gervais was among those disappointed with how badly Twitter was handling the situation.
Just read some of the vile racist comments tweeted to @StanCollymore. Depressing. Humanity may be doomed. — Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 26, 2014
This comes after Collymore quit Twitter at the start of the year after a bust up with his ex girlfriend Ulrika Jonsson.