Facebook blocks Rockhampton mob leader as Queensland MP prepares to meet with him

Indigenous community says the plan to meet with Torin O’Brien only legitimises his offensive views

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

First Nations people in central Queensland say the state government is inflaming local tensions by pushing ahead with plans to meet with the former leader of a far-right “patriots” group, who was booted off Facebook after leading a mob to surround the Rockhampton home of an Indigenous teenager.

Guardian Australia on Tuesday revealed that the ringleader of the group, Torin O’Brien, is the former president of a group that regularly posted offensive anti-Islam content online.