Riots 'here to stay' without action on lies

RIOTS that spread fear across the country will return without a massive crackdown on lies spread over the internet, security experts warn.

- Marco Giannangeli and Jonathan Walker

Thousands of fake social media accounts have been created by Britain’s enemies such as Russia and Iran to stir up hatred. And the current lull in violence, which follows a huge police operation involving more than 740 arrests, may be only temporary.

The warning from security service insiders came as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner attacked social media giants for fuelling division.

Warning that “the risks have not gone away”, Ms Rayner said: “With so much of the hatred stirred up online, social media companies have a vital role in managing the false information that has led to outbreaks of violence.”

Disorder swept the country following false claims about the identity of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, who has been charged with murdering three children at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport. Bebe King, six, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed in the attack on July 29.