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
    1815·
    5 months ago

    I get what you’re saying, but I really expected the post to be something more direct, like a specific threat.

    I don’t think anyone would be arrested here for saying “people are going to go crazy if X turns out to be true”.

    It would have to be more like “Let’s burn things down!” or “Somebody should take care of (blank)”.

    • gedhrel@lemmy.worldEnglish
      93·
      5 months ago

      That’s the thing about dog-whistles.

      The defence you posit is the same as a politician chosing words carefully to imply one thing, while technically not lying: for aome reason they think that’s a defence, but were a six-year-old try it they’d be straight off to the naughty step.

      She lit a fire which was fanned by agents provocateurs from outside the country (ie, Farrage and Yaxley-Lennon). The useful idiots picked it up and rioted with it.