MP names firms that failed to block suicide site

Joe Nihill took his life in April 2020

Internet firms which have failed to block access to an online suicide forum connected with more than 50 deaths in the UK have been named in Parliament.

Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East, said he would "name and shame" the internet service providers (ISPs) which have not blocked access to the website on Wednesday evening.

The new Online Safety Act will restrict access to such sites, but Ofcom's duty to consult means some delays until the site becomes fully inaccessible.

Catherine Adeneken, whose son Joe Nihill took his life in 2020 after visiting it, said she and her family "won't be able to recover while that site is there", describing it as "sick".

'It destroys you'

Joe, who lived in Oakwood in Leeds, spent around a month exchanging messages with other users, learning more about methods of suicide, and possibly being exposed to livestreams of deaths.

"I believe [the ISPs] should be named and shamed," Catherine said.

"I don't want anyone else to go through it. It destroys you."

Joe, who was aged 23 and on a year out from studying cyber security at university, left a note for police which named the site and asked for it to be shut down.

Some ISPs, including Sky and Three, acted quickly after being alerted to the site's existence.

A BBC investigation in October 2023 found British authorities failed to act on official warnings about the site.

Joe Nihill with his mum, Catherine Adeneken. She said he was "outgoing, kind, caring, and would do anything for his family and friends"

At least six coroners had written to government departments about it, and five police forces were aware of it and had investigated deaths but could not take action.

"Do [people at ISPs] not think it's going to happen to them, or to any of their families or friends?," Catherine said.

As of November 2023, when Ofcom received new powers under the Online Safety Act, the site can only be viewed by UK users already signed up as members.

It is not clear whether new users from the UK can still apply for membership.

"If we save one life, it's an achievement," said Melanie Saville, Joe's sister-in-law.

• If you have been affected by any issues raised in this story, you can access help and support via the BBC Action Line.

Burgon named the ISPs during a debate on Wednesday evening, using his parliamentary privilege.

This allows MPs to speak freely in debates, and be legally protected from the threat of defamation action.

He told Parliament Vodafone had responded to his request by saying the site was blocked if customers had adult content filters enabled.

He said BT told him its "fixed network level broadband parental control settings for all ages block the site".

Mr Burgon said Virgin Media O2 had initially told him they would block the site if required by a court order.

He said after being pressed further, the firm had agreed to review the website and "consider if further action should be taken".

Virgin Media O2 added web filters which block "unsuitable" content including the site in question are "switched on by default".

He said he had received no response from EE.

Burgon said he "congratulates" ISPs who have already shut down access to the site.

"There is simply no excuse for any other internet provider to be dragging their feet. They need to do the right thing and do it right away," he added.

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