Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
Recruitment firm owner accused of running online doxxing campaign
Tom Watson, who founded the recruitment firm Futura Energy Group, has been accused of running an X account called Big Time Charlie.
The allegation was made by campaign group Hope Not Hate, and Watson’s account was deactivated shortly afterwards.
The account had nearly 50,000 followers and published personal information about RNLI staff, anti-racism activists and business executives who hire minority ethnic workers.
RNLI staff had faced online harassment from far-right activists over their role in rescuing people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The account appeared to use artificial intelligence to collect information from LinkedIn and other sites for a database called Traitorbase.
People targeted said the posts caused concern, and one Green party councillor reported the publication of her details to police.
The targeting can distract organisations from their work and add to division in communities.
The account’s deactivation is known, but the allegations against Watson are not presented as proven.
Tom Watson, owner of recruitment firm Futura Energy Group, is accused of running the “Big Time Charlie” X account, which targeted the RNLI, anti-racism activists and business executives.
The account had almost 50,000 followers and was deactivated after the campaign group Hope Not Hate named Watson and the Guardian approached him for comment.
The account allegedly used data from LinkedIn and other sites to create a “Traitorbase” and had a history of racist comments.
People targeted by the account said the posts caused concern and could distract organisations from their work.
- Who
- Tom Watson, owner of recruitment firm Futura Energy Group, is accused of being behind the Big Time Charlie X account.
- What
- The account allegedly published personal details about the RNLI, anti-racism activists and business executives.
- When
- The account became more prominent in recent weeks and was deactivated after Hope Not Hate named Watson.
- Where
- Online, on X and through information allegedly gathered from LinkedIn and other sites.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The climate at the moment is horrendous and I’m no stranger to people targeting me and my family, but there’s a big concern when this information is actively put out there.
This is an attempt to sow discord and division among communities and prevent organisations trying to help the most vulnerable communities in this country from operating at their full potential.
It’s a pretty unpleasant thing to do, especially if it’s someone who is involved in their own business.
The Big Time Charlie account became more prominent as RNLI staff faced online harassment and attacks.
The account was removed shortly after the campaign group alleged he was behind it.
The account was removed almost immediately, according to the report.
- Accused person
- Tom Watson, from Worcester
- Account
- Big Time Charlie on X
- Followers
- Almost 50,000
- Recruitment firm
- Futura Energy Group
- Alleged donation
- £2,500 to Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party
Sources
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