Facebook stands by 'RIP Moat' tribute webpage

Last night the social networking website issued a statement essentially defending the right to free speech following concerns raised by the Prime Minister and MPs over the RIP Raoul Moat group.

An official for Downing Street was expected to approach Facebook last night but the company is thought to have pre-empted the talks and released a statement following David Cameron's condemnation of Moat as a "callous murderer".

Facebook said many people would find some of the topics discussed on the site "distasteful", but added "that is not a reason in itself to stop a debate from happening".

"Raoul Moat has dominated public debate over the last week and it is clear that there are lots of different and opposing opinions, both about Moat himself and about the investigation which surrounds him. These debates are being held in newspapers, online across the internet, between people in the pub, on the phone and at work.

"Facebook is a place where people can express their views and discuss things in an open way as they can and do in many other places, and as such we sometimes find people discussing topics others may find distasteful, however that is not a reason in itself to stop a debate from happening."

Mr Cameron had told MPs any sympathy should be reserved for Moat's victims.

"It is absolutely clear that Raoul Moat was a callous murderer, full stop, end of story," he said at Prime Minister's Questions.

"I cannot understand any wave, however small, of public sympathy for this man."

Mr Cameron spoke out as it emerged Pc David Rathband, the officer shot in the face by the former nightclub doorman, has been left blind.

Britain's most senior police officer, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, also raised concerns about online and floral tributes for the killer.

Kelly Stobbart, the half-sister of Moat's ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, who was shot by him, called them "disgusting".

Last night it emerged Moat had told social workers he wanted to see a psychiatrist.

Just months before he shot a policeman, his ex-partner and killed her new boyfriend, the former nightclub doorman said he wanted help. Taped recordings of conversations Moat, 37, had with social workers gave a picture of increasing paranoia.