Wikipedia ‘promoting suicide’

WIKIPEDIA has been accused of ‘promoting and encouraging’ suicide.

In a report, former Tory chairman Grant Shapps criticises the website for listing suicide methods with graphic detail that amounts to an ‘instruction manual’.

Mr Shapps accused the site of ‘not caring less’ that the content could be used by suicidal people. He said it was ‘irresponsible’ to allow such material online – and that he would ask the Charity Commission whether Wikimedia, which represents the UK site, was following the rules.

The report also highlights a website that includes a league table of suicide methods based on lethality, time and agony.

Wikimedia UK declined to comment as it had not yet received a response from the US-based Wikimedia Foundation, which was sent the draft report last year. ÷For

confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123 or go to www.samaritans.org