UK PM Starmer says child social media ban not linked to leadership pressure

Snap

15/06/2026 08:31

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that his decision to ban on social media for children under 16 was about a "statement of values" and not because he was facing a potential leadership challenge. 
Starmer is likely to face a challenge to ‌his leadership in the coming months from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham if his rival wins a seat in parliament at a special election this week. 
"This is a statement of our values, who we are as a country, and it is a way of bringing our country together, so for me this is bigger than some of the usual tos and fros of politics - although there is plenty of that," Starmer told a press conference.   

 (Reporting by Sarah Young, writing by Andrew MacAskill, editing by William James)
 ((Andrew.MacAskill@thomsonreuters.com; +447818584430; Reuters Messaging: andrew.macaskill@thomsonreuters.com))