It comes after millionaire mum Bonnie Spofforth said she was 'mortified' to be accused of being the first to spread the false rumours.

The woman accused of being first to spread the fake rumours about the Southport killer which sparked nationwide riots has been arrested.

Racist riots spread across the country after misinformation spread on social media claiming the fatal stabbing was carried out by Ali Al-Shakati, believed to be a fictitious name, a Muslim aslyum seeker who was on an MI6 watchlist.

A 55-year-old woman from Chester has now been arrested on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and false communication. She remains in police custody.

While she has not been named in the police statement about the arrest, it is believed to be Bonnie Spofforth, a mother-of-three and the managing director of a clothing company.

  • The Picard Maneuver@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    5 months ago

    I understand the point you’re making, but the fact that you are able to type this with full confidence that cops aren’t going to show up at your door tomorrow is my point.

    Lying is wrong, but the police arresting someone for repeating/creating a made up name of a murderer on twitter is bizarre to me.

    (edit: for clarity, because she might have been the one who made up the fake name)

    • PrettyFlyForAFatGuy@feddit.ukEnglish
      9·
      5 months ago

      did she repeat it? or was she the source?

      The article implies she was the sources and thus, despite her claims, made it up

        • davidagain@lemmy.worldEnglish
          6·
          4 months ago

          And as a result, rioting across the UK. Why shouldn’t the police turn up and arrest the person who started the national violence?

          Trump started insurrection, but it was only words so he’s innocent? No he’s not. He should be (a) in jail and (b) barred from standing for president, as per the constitution.

          • The Picard Maneuver@lemmy.worldEnglish
            5·
            4 months ago

            Trump riled up a mob and told them to march on the capital. He absolutely should be in jail for that.

            This random racist lady on the internet basically said “If [lie that she either repeated or made up] is true, I bet people are going to be mad!” and was arrested.

            My point is that I see nonsense like that posted everywhere in the aftermath of tragedies, and I don’t think all of those redditors/lemmings/etc are criminals either. Trolls, escalators, maybe astroturfers, but not criminals. It’s just a bit of a culture shock to me to see someone arrested for it.

            • davidagain@lemmy.worldEnglish
              7·
              4 months ago

              Trump only said they were going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. But we know what happened.

              It’s a culture shock that it’s illegal to say certain things in the UK, but I suspect that you’re used to all manner of evil being justified as freedom of speech because for some reason it plays well as a justification in North America. You should have freedom of religion, but not if your freedom involves physical harm to others. Same for speech. You should have freedom of speech, but not if your speech causes physical harm to others.