DETAILS of a new law targeting online hate group and fake news were set out in parliament on Monday.

Labour MP Lucy Powell wants to see companies like Facebook clamp down on secret groups spreading extremist hatred by making them responsible for published content, in the same way that newspapers and broadcasters are.

Her proposal would establish clear accountability in law for what is published on online forums, forcing those who run them to “no longer permit hate, disinformation and criminal activity”.

There is cross-party support for Mrs Powell’s Online Forums Bill, which was passed unanimously and has been sponsored by MPs from Jacob Rees-Mogg to Anna Soubry and David Lammy.

The type of forums she refers to are like echo chambers. Anyone with contradictory views is locked out, so the same incorrect information and hateful opinions go round and round, unchallenged and unchecked.

Mrs Powell is right when she says that swift action would be taken if 1,000 people met in a town hall inciting violence against a political opponent, racism or hate.

The internet is no different, and if Facebook is unwilling to act to stop its facilities being used for this kind of dangerous rhetoric, then legislation is needed.

Parliamentary time must be found for Mrs Powell’s bill to progress, or the government must take it forward.