The woman accused of being the first to spread the fake rumours about the Southport killer which sparked riots around Britain has been arrested.
Bonnie Spofforth, 55, is allegedly responsible for the misinformation that spread across social media in the aftermath of the attack, claiming the stabbing was carried out by Ali Al-Shakati (a name she completely made up), a Muslim asylum seeker who was on an MI6 watchlist.
Mum-of-three Bonnie was arrested in Chester on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and false communication.
Chief Superintendent Alison Ross said:
‘We have all seen the violent disorder that has taken place across the UK over the past week, much of which has been fuelled by malicious and inaccurate communications online.
‘It’s a stark reminder of the dangers of posting information on social media platforms without checking the accuracy.
‘It also acts as a warning that we are all accountable for our actions, whether that be online or in person.’
Bonnie posted the false claim at 4.49pm on Monday, July 29, the day of the attack, saying: ‘Ali Al-Shakati was the suspect, he was an asylum seeker who came to the UK by boat last year and was on an MI6 watch list. If this is true, then all hell is about to break loose.’
Bonnie told MailOnline she ‘first received this information from somebody in Southport’:
‘I’m mortified that I’m being accused of this. I did not make it up. My post had nothing to do with the violence we’ve seen across the country.
‘But I acknowledge that it may have been the source for the information used by a Russian news website.’
I guess the courts will have to categorically prove that Bonnie invented and deliberately pushed this misinformation, and that it directly led to the riots in Southport the following day, and then around the nation. Apparently the experts can’t find any record of anyone sharing the specific rumour before Bonnie posted it herself, so it’s not looking too good for her.
It does feel concerning that someone can be arrested for their words/social media posts these days, but I suppose the powers-that-be feel they need to take action when said words/social media posts incite this level of national instability. At least we now know the rumour wasn’t started by some overseas bot farm, eh?
For the COVID denier who was fined £200 for uploading pictures of ’empty’ hospitals on social media, click HERE. You really do need to watch what you post online these days.
