The exchange with an unidentified individual identified by the codename FOXTROT was highlighted in the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on Rigby's murder, released on Tuesday, as the key piece of evidence that could have averted the tragedy. The report states:
"Adebowale's expressed intention to murder a soldier was highly significant. If Adebowale's exchange with FOXTROT had been seen by MI5 at the time, then we believe that the investigation would have increased to Priority 1, unlocking all the extra resources this would have entailed. This is the single issue which - had it been known at the time - might have enabled MI5 to prevent the attack."
Although the platform on which the exchange happened was missing from the report, and the transcript of the exchange redacted, the Guardian alleged on Tuesday that the unnamed internet company was Facebook.
Here is how the morning papers covered the story:
The Sun quoted the Rigby family as saying that the site has "blood on its hands"
THE SUN FRONT PAGE: Lee Rigby family fury as net giant failed to report murder threat. #skypapers pic.twitter.com/qeAWWrtlEH
- Sky News (@SkyNews) November 25, 2014
Meanwhile the Daily Mail lead on "Facebook Kept Quiet About Rigby's Killer's Plotting"
Wednesday's Daily Mail front page: Facebook kept quiet about Rigby killer's plotting pic.twitter.com/wJR4UWNiU2
- cf (@cfmcfc) November 25, 2014
Elsewhere, the Telegraph cited Prime Minister David Cameron's comment that the failure to report the exchange amounts to a "lack of moral responsibility"
Tomorrow's Daily Telegraph front page: "Fury at Facebook over terror note left by Lee Rigby's killer" pic.twitter.com/p1Kk4vyW8A
- The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 25, 2014