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.

  • @Mr_Blott@feddit.uk
    -15•3 months ago

    Yay another win for not having such a backward, archaic law like Free Speech ©®™

    Edit - Christ on a bike, my most misread comment yet lol

    • Echo Dot
      16•3 months ago

      I don’t think free speech covers actual lies, and misinformation.

    • @thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works
      10•4 months ago

      While I agree that this is a win overall, even in the US there are limits to free speech; you can’t falsely yell fire in a crowded theatre, threaten an individual with bodily harm, or incite others to do so, without any risk of repercussion.

      • Echo Dot
        6•3 months ago

        Unless you’re a Republican of course in which case you can do all of those things.

    • @jorp@lemmy.world
      10•3 months ago

      Individualist ideas of freedom and rights are not as useful to a functioning society as collective freedom and rights.

      Freedom to incite a violent attack against a marginalized group isn’t a useful kind of freedom.

      Individualists seem not to get this idea.

      • Rusty ShacklefordEnglish
        7•3 months ago

        Your rights end where my rights begin, and conversely, my rights end where yours begin.

    • @MerchantsOfMisery@lemmy.ml
      7•3 months ago

      Should I be allowed to feed rabid folks misinformation to encourage them to murder you and your family, with no repercussions? Yes or no, please no long winded diatribes.