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.

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.

      • @fine_sandy_bottom
        2•1 month ago

        Settle down mate. I’m Australian, and well aware of the mistreatment of Australian aboriginals.

        I’m not going to defend the behavior of my forebears, my comment was merely pointing out that this is not a uniquely Australian problem, and that colonisation never goes well for the indigenous.

        In prehistory, homo sapiens colonised the entire world and either murdered, massacred, out bred or otherwise displaced competing hominids to the point of their extinction. A pattern repeated the world over ever since. How well are Russians treating Ukranians, or Israelis treating Palestinians ?