Twitter fury after Lostprophets paedophile Ian Watkins keeps blue tick following verification crackdown
TWITTER has allowed convicted paedophile and former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins to retain his blue tick on Twitter.
Brits are fuming that the former rock star has kept his verified status while he languishes behind bars after being sentenced for 13 sexual offences, some on children, despite "de-ticking" many others in an overnight sweep.
As of this morning, several controversial speakers woke up to find their blue ticks - a sign of official status often confined to politicians or celebrities - had been removed.
These included controversial speaker Tommy Robinson, former leader of the English Defence League along with a collection of Neo-Nazi firebrands.
A Twitter spokesperson said that it would remove ticks from people who promoted hate or violence against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, religion, age, disability or disease.
Self-harm, suicide, harassment and violent behaviour would also result in de-verification.
Watkins, who enjoyed worldwide fame, was sentenced to 29 years in prison in 2012.
He was charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a one-year-old girl, possession and distribution of indecent images of children and extreme animal pornography.
As of this afternoon, his blue tick remains in place, much to the anger of the Twittersphere.
Several tweeted their fury, with one writing: "Are you f****** kidding me? Seems you can violate children for a blue tick just not the twitter rules".
Another added: "I didn't even know Ian Watkins still had a twitter account, let alone it being verified. He's in prison for 35 years trying to rape a baby."
DISGRACED MUSICIAN Who is Ian Watkins? Convicted paedophile and ex-Lostprophets frontman currently in high-security prison
Watkins account doesn't appear to have been used since November 2016 after a long period of inactivity since 2012.
Far-right figures Jason Kessler and Richard Spencer also had their blue ticks removed.
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