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.

  • MelllvarEnglish
    2•3 months ago

    I feel like you’re arguing a point I haven’t taken a position on. I’m only saying that arrests like this seem insane to an American sensibility.

    The conservatives gave it the power to prosecute people for protesting climate change and made it inadmissible evidence for them to explain the reasons for their protest

    But I will say that changing the law like that is also insane to an American sensibility.

    • @davidagain@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4•3 months ago

      Is it OK to go after Trump for inciting insurrection?

      Is it OK to go after people for libel and slander?

      If so, why is it OK to restrict speech for harming a reputation but not OK to restrict speech for causing violence?

      It seems to me that the American line on free speech is really inconsistent.