this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2024
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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.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

One thing that isn't really touched on because it never got published is that Spofforth has been an active organizer for the far right since 2020. Since then she has been active in anti Drag Queen Story Hour harrasment and targeting hotels. Another example is Yorkshire Rose (Amanda Smith) who has been doing the exact same but to a larger extent.

My main concern is that these fascist agitators have been placed into prisons with people of colour and leftwing activists for an extended period of time.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (9 children)

While she has not been named in the police statement about the arrest, it is believed to be Bonnie Spofforth

This, I don't like. If you - the newspaper, the means of information - are not sure about a name you should really refrain from using it.

It would be not the first time people get their lives ruined by some careless journalist because of a namesake or just an error.

It's not that different from "spreading rumors".

That aside, in this case, it is probably a rumor from an inside source. Still. Not a fan.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

She tweeted it from her known account. They know it was her 100%. They're just being careful because she hasn't been charged yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This. There was reports days before her arrest with her real name, it’s been known

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Ironically, the reason for all this in the first place.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (3 children)

I've also said this before and I'll say it again: names of suspects and even convicted criminals should not be shared unless necessary*. That just makes no sense for rehabilitation as it opens people up for judgement in a court of opinion. Justice is the job of the justice systems and should not generally involve the wider public.

Could there be issues with the judgement or other events where the only way to achieve justice is via the press? Sure, probably, but I don't think the default should be that if I google the name of someone I can find if they or someone with a similar name (and god forbid, appearance) were involved in a crime.

*: unless necessary here can cover cases like trying to find an individual on the run, or when their previous crime is meant to exclude them from specific lines of work, although even that should be on a need-to-know basis imo, not public info.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Meanwhile here in Sweden, everyone's criminal record is public, and even available to search online. Unless the crime is something minor punished with a fine. It's really ridiculous, everything is publicly available online, like addresses, phone numbers, the cars or pets people own. Unless you have a protected identity, it's all available to everyone online. I tried to apply for a protected identity on account of being a public servant that is involved in making decisions many people very much dislike. But I couldn't provide a concrete threat so it was denied. It's like the system is still geared towards pre-internet times. The system itself in fact doxxes every resident in the country.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

You're right but otherwise there are cases like child rapists that get a slap on the wrist and then go to represent a country at the Olympics

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yep. In Germany for example we don't name perpetrators at all, neither alleged nor convicted. Newspapers are not allowed to refer to them with anything but the first name plus first letter of the last name, or initials. The only exception is when someone dangerous is on the run and they need help from the public to ID him, in that case the name is released after an ethical review board from the police force decides so (it's mostly done on the spot without delay, but there is a procedure at the very least).

A general exception is made for persons of interest, be it celebrities, politicians or something. For general members of the public, nothing truly identifiable is released. Minors (generally below the age of 18, or people tried as minors, i.e. committed a crime while below 18 but only tried later) will not be named whatsoever; only their age and gender are released.

Race is never mentioned, unless it is a race-related hate crime.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Race is never mentioned, unless it is a race-related hate crime.

We need something like this in my country. There's a newspaper here (il giornale) that always has headlines like

  • African robs store
  • African rapes girl
  • Illegal alien shoplifts
  • Mad African shouts in a mall
  • Foreigner madness: demands food then gets mad when denied

And so on. The last (foreigner madness) is almost a catchphrase for them, if you search for "la follia dello straniero" it comes out only results from that outlet

A crime is a crime and the criminal nationality is irrelevant, unless you need to push some agenda

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Social media has been weaponized and will only get worse as media conglomerates congregate further.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (5 children)

Oh man, we need some of that shit in the US. Arrest these right wing media nut jobs and their Jewish laser bullshit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They arrested the guy too. And I'm all for it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

what? what the fuck is going on here.

Context, fast. This is a context-robery!

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Surprisingly balanced and civil discussions in these comments. Super proud to be here 💪 this would not happen elsewhere

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

She's a millionaire, so not a lot of support for her.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (6 children)

Wow. That would be a first that spreading misinformation actually has legal consequences.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Now do newspapers next!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

And that other conspiracist from infowars.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Quite the punishment. Imagine the inconvenience of having to hide hundreds of millions of dollars.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Eh, the fact they're still at it means it was just the cost of doing business.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (4 children)

You know what I don’t give a flying fuck about? Her being a mother of three. Why is this sympathy baiting bullshit in an article about a woman who helped incite violent racist riots all over the country?

Maybe she should have thought about her kids before being a conservative.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

They never use that argument for men.

"He's a father of 3"

They're always coming up with an excuse.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Being a mother of three plays against her in my mind.

She didn't do this for her children but her own selfish reasons. Her children will suffer from her actions and therefore she is an irresponsible parent that does not consider the well being of her children.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

She’s trying to ensure that her kids grow up in a more hateful and racist country, this is the legacy she’s trying to leave her children.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thin line between opinion, free speech, and a lie. I do not want to follow the example being set in Europe. This is the road that leads to authoritarian rule. Who defines truth, hate speech, and opinion. When the other side wins an election are you now the criminal? Will different truths exist in red and blue states? City and rural? No thank you.

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