BBC News Reality Check

Twitter has confirmed to the BBC that it has suspended a number of accounts focusing on the conflict in Ethiopia for violating its rules.

Although Twitter did not give an exact figure, pro-Tigrayan users estimated the affected accounts could number in the hundreds.

The social media company told the BBC it had taken this action for "violations of the Twitter rules, including engaging in hashtag and mention spam" – where specific hashtags and Twitter handles are repeatedly included in tweets.

"This is in line with our continued efforts to protect the safety of the conversation on Twitter related to the ongoing situation in Ethiopia."

Some vocal Twitter accounts which back Tigrayan forces fighting the Ethiopian government have been complaining of losing hundreds of followers, while others complained of their friends having been suspended from the platform:

TwitterCopyright: Twitter

TwitterCopyright: Twitter

While most of the affected accounts appear to be pro-Tigrayan, Twitter said it enforces its rules "objectively on content and accounts – we remain neutral to political identity and ideology".

Affected accounts can appeal against the decision.

In recent months, social media companies have come under fire over what critics have been saying is their inaction over use of their platforms to spread hate and incitement.

In November last year, Twitter temporarily disabled its Trends function for Ethiopia which is meant to show the topics that are most popular at any given time.

Related stories:

• What are Facebook and Twitter doing about hate speech in Ethiopia?
• How Nigeria succeeded in clipping Twitter's wings

The main focus of scrutiny of the PM has been on a May 2020 drinks party in the Downing Street garden.

So, what Covid rules were in place on that date?

The government guidance for England said "workers should try to minimise all meetings and other gatherings” and only "absolutely necessary participants should attend”.

The guidance suggested reducing “the number of people you spend time with in a work setting”.

On top of these guidelines, there were also a number of legal restrictions in place.

People could not leave their homes (or be outside the place they live) without a reasonable excuse, which included work (where you couldn't work from home).

So while anyone attending the party may have broken the law, it might be argued this would not apply to the prime minister himself, because Downing Street is where he lives.

More on this here.