MPs demand Google take lead in blocking child porn

Labour today demanded that internet companies such as Google take tougher action to stamp out child abuse images online.

MPs called for a crackdown on pages featuring abusive images of children, as well as stricter controls on other pornographic sites.

Their push for a Commons debate on the issue follows the conviction last week of Mark Bridger, 47, for murdering five-year-old April Jones, having previously sought out web images of abused children.

Labour MP Steve Rotheram, who sits on the culture, media and sport committee, said: “Google has been reluctant to take a leading role on this. I know there is an argument that comes forward on freedom of speech and censorship on some of these issues, but there has to be a balance that is struck.”

Scott Rubin, Google’s director of communications and public affairs said the firm had “a zero-tolerance policy” on illegal content.