Cameron slams Facebook executions

The Prime Minister said the social network must explain its decision to allow images showing decapitations to “worried parents”.

The social media website has said users should be free to view such videos and then condemn the content.

Mr Cameron wrote on Twitter: “It’s irresponsible of Facebook to post beheading videos, especially without a warning. They must explain their actions to worried parents.”

Facebook introduced a temporary ban on such videos in May but has since decided to remove the block on the grounds that the site is used to share information about world events, such as acts of terrorism and human rights abuses.

The company insists, however, that its approach would be different if the actions in the footage were “encouraged” or “celebrated”.

Its new rules specify that videos and photos will be removed if they “glorify violence”.