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.

  • @FelixCressEnglish
    6•1 month ago

    Allowing others’ speech is the default

    Freedom of speech is not a freedom to lie.

    • The Picard ManeuverEnglish
      1•1 month ago

      Yes it is.

      It’s morally wrong, but people who lie on the internet are not criminals.

      • @FelixCressEnglish
        10•1 month ago

        It absolutely isn’t.

        If a sales person sells you a faulty car claiming it works, it’s a fraud, not a freedom of speech.

        Freedom of speech covers opinions and ideas, not factual lies.

        • @[email protected]English
          6•1 month ago

          People’s brains fall out of their heads on this one hey? Like wtf, you’re actually responsible for what you say seems pretty basic. Nobody is arguing for prosecuting anyone who expresses opinions, or what they earnestly believe to be true and communicate in good faith. Just, if you make shit up and people get hurt well then, you did that hey.