United Kingdom Witnesses Escalation in Misinformation and Violence through Involvement of Extremist Influencers by the EDL
In a series of distressing events, England has been gripped by far-right riots that began in August 2024. The unrest was triggered by a chain of unfortunate incidents, including violent crimes and the rapid dissemination of false information online.
The catalyst for the violent demonstrations was the charging of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker, with multiple counts of sexual assault. This led to protests outside a hotel believed to house asylum seekers, which escalated into riots involving masked far-right individuals clashing with police, damaging property, and attacking officers.
The tragic murders of three young girls in Southport on July 29, 2024, served as the immediate precursor to these events. False and misleading information quickly spread online, falsely linking the suspect to being a Muslim and/or an asylum seeker. This misinformation was amplified across social media platforms and encrypted messaging services, with calls to violence circulated and organized digitally.
Prominent far-right activist Tommy Robinson, known for his Islamophobic views, was among those who circulated videos of the protests and riots online, acting as an instigator from outside the UK. Extreme right groups such as Blood and Honour, Combat 18, BNP, and individuals affiliated with Britain First were also reported among demonstrators at violent protests, with their symbols and flags visible. Local figures, like Reform UK councillor James Regan, were also present, indicating some degree of local political involvement in the far-right mobilization.
The nature of the contemporary far-right is more like a school of fish rather than a traditional organization. There is no formalised leadership, with large numbers of people engaging in activity online and directed by social media influencers. Social media, particularly platform X, has played an integral role in fuelling both hatred and misinformation online.
Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Labour Party, has stated that the violent mob does not represent the country and they will bring them to justice. The UK government has called for an emergency Cobra meeting to address the escalating violence and is addressing the hate and misinformation spread online, particularly on platform X.
Despite recent UK legislation (Online Safety Act 2023) aimed at curbing online harms, social media and encrypted apps have continued to play a central role in organizing these protests and escalating violence. Tommy Robinson, the leader of the English Defence League (EDL), has denied involvement in inciting violence in England. However, the EDL is known for its Islamophobic views and is believed by some to initiate violence and hate, relying on multiple individual far-right influencers to spread their messages and avoid sole blame for the violence and hate.
The riots have spread across England, resulting in multiple locations being deemed unsafe for minorities, particularly Muslim communities. The violence across England has resulted in several arrests in different cities. As the situation continues to unfold, the UK government and law enforcement are working diligently to restore peace and justice in the affected areas.
- The spreading of false information online and controversial political stances regarding immigration, as seen in the tragic events of 2024, have often intertwined, with general news and crime-and-justice sectors frequently reporting on war-and-conflicts fueled by political unrest and social media influencers.
- The recent riots in England, triggered by the charging of an asylum seeker for sexual assault and perpetuated by far-right activists like Tommy Robinson, have underscored the complex relationship between politics, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice, with social media platforms playing a significant role in the dissemination of misinformation and incitement.
