In the aftermath of a tragic knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport, the United Kingdom has been engulfed in violent anti-immigration riots. These riots, fuelled by false information disseminated on social media, have spread across towns and cities, leading to over 90 arrests and widespread chaos. This article delves into the origins of the riots, the key influencers who propagated misinformation, the responses from political figures, and the broader geopolitical implications, including potential links to Russian interference.
The unrest began with a post by controversial figure Andrew Tate on July 29, which falsely claimed: “ILLEGAL MIGRANT STABS 6 LITTLE GIRLS. WAKE UP.” This inflammatory statement quickly went viral, garnering millions of impressions and igniting anger and fear. Despite prompt corrections that the suspect was a 17-year-old born in Cardiff of Rwandan heritage, the damage was done. Tate’s post had already catalysed a wave of xenophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric.
Many responded to Tate’s misinformation, attempting to correct the narrative. One user noted: “The Southport killer is 17, was born in Cardiff and is of Rwandan heritage.
The Southport killer is 17, was born in Cardiff and is of Rwandan heritage.
— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) July 31, 2024
Andrew Tate, along with other right-wingers, spread disinformation about the killer being an illegal immigrant and/or a Muslim, which emboldened far-right thugs to attack a mosque yesterday in Southport. pic.twitter.com/bULigDpplT
Andrew Tate, along with other right-wingers, spread disinformation about the killer being an illegal immigrant and/or a Muslim, which emboldened far-right thugs to attack a mosque yesterday in Southport.” Despite these efforts, the false narrative persisted, driven by the influential voices of right-wing figures.
Marc Owen Jones, a prominent analyst, highlighted the disinformation campaign‘s key spreaders, including Tate, Darren Grimes, Europe Invasion, and others. Jones noted that posts speculating the attacker was a Muslim, migrant, refugee, or foreigner received at least 27 million impressions. He identified various accounts that perpetuated the false narrative, including @Cobratate, @darrengrimes_ of GB News, @EuropeInvasionn, and @afowler06. Jones pointed out that some accounts even fabricated an Arabic-sounding name for the attacker, further fuelling the xenophobic narrative.
Political figures have not been blameless in this situation. Nigel Farage, known for his controversial statements, has repeatedly made remarks that stoke racial hatred. Farage defended a UKIP candidate’s use of a racial slur to describe Chinese people, used antisemitic tropes, and launched an anti-immigration poster compared to Nazi propaganda. His rhetoric has emboldened far-right sentiments and contributed to the toxic atmosphere.
Boris Johnson has also faced criticism for his inflammatory comments. He referred to Muslim women wearing burqas as looking like “letterboxes” and “bank robbers,” used derogatory terms to describe African communities, and made insensitive comments about Nigerian stereotypes. Johnson’s statements have perpetuated harmful stereotypes and undermined efforts to combat racism.
Priti Patel and Suella Braverman (both former UK Home Secretaries under Conservatives) have made statements that critics argue incite racism. Patel called the removal of a slave trader’s statue “utterly disgraceful” and criticised footballers for taking the knee, while Braverman referred to migrants as an “invasion” and highlighted British Pakistani men as predominantly responsible for grooming gangs. These statements have been seen as legitimising xenophobic sentiments and stoking racial tensions.
The situation in the UK echoes a broader pattern of misinformation and disinformation campaigns, which often have geopolitical implications. Russian “active measures,” a term used to describe covert operations to influence foreign affairs, have long been a tool of Russian strategy. Defectors such as Oleg Kalugin, Yuri Bezmenov, and Stanislav Lunev have detailed how these operations are designed to destabilise societies and create internal conflicts.
The Role of British Tabloids in Fueling Anti-Immigration Sentiments and Racial Hatred
For years, British tabloids such as the Daily Mail and The Sun have played a significant role in fuelling anti-immigration sentiments and racial hatred. Prominent figures within these publications have led campaigns that amplify xenophobic narratives and incite division. The Daily Mail, for instance, has been criticised for its sensationalist and often inflammatory coverage of immigration issues. Articles and opinion pieces frequently depict migrants and refugees in a negative light, using dehumanising language that stokes public fear and resentment.
The Sun has similarly faced accusations of promoting racist sentiments. The tabloid’s approach often involves sensational headlines and provocative imagery, which contribute to a hostile environment for immigrants and minorities. Figures like Katie Hopkins, who wrote for The Sun and Daily Mail, have been notorious for their incendiary remarks. Hopkins referred to migrants as “cockroaches” and suggested using gunships to deter migrants from crossing the Mediterranean, comments that were widely condemned for their blatant racism and dehumanisation of vulnerable populations.
Leading these efforts have been editors and journalists known for their right-wing views. Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail, was instrumental in shaping the paper’s aggressive stance on immigration and its often vitriolic tone. Under his leadership, the Daily Mail became synonymous with anti-immigrant rhetoric, negatively influencing public opinion and political discourse in the UK.
The impact of these tabloids extends beyond their readership, as their sensationalist coverage often sets the agenda for broader media and political discussions. This was evident in the aftermath of the tragic knife attack in Southport, where false information about the attacker being an illegal immigrant spread rapidly, fuelled by figures like Andrew Tate and echoed by right-wing media. The persistent dissemination of such misinformation, coupled with the inflammatory rhetoric from political figures like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson, has contributed to a climate of fear and hostility, exacerbating social tensions and undermining efforts to foster a more inclusive society.
The role of these tabloids in promoting divisive narratives aligns disturbingly with broader geopolitical strategies, including Russian active measures aimed at destabilising Western societies. As the UK grapples with both internal and external challenges, understanding the influence of media outlets like the Daily Mail and The Sun is crucial in addressing the root causes of social unrest and ensuring a more cohesive and resilient society.
The Dangerous Trio: Farage, Tate, Hopkins, and Their Putin Praise
Katie Hopkins on the Southport attack. This woman is fantastic. pic.twitter.com/1spNYwHtb0
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) July 31, 2024
Nigel Farage, Andrew Tate, and Katie Hopkins’s admiration for Vladimir Putin is coupled with their inflammatory rhetoric in the UK. Their efforts to incite racial hatred and social discord mirror Russian disinformation campaigns, suggesting a troubling alignment with broader destabilisation strategies and raising questions about their true motivations.
Nigel Farage, a prominent British politician and a key figure in the Brexit campaign, has long been an outspoken supporter of Vladimir Putin.
Farage has described Putin as the world leader he most admires, praising his handling of the Syrian crisis and his nationalist policies. Farage’s endorsement of Putin aligns disturbingly well with his own political strategies, which have consistently incited racial hatred within the UK. Farage defended a UKIP candidate’s use of a racial slur against Chinese people, dismissed concerns about antisemitic tropes by referencing a “Jewish lobby” in the US, and infamously unveiled an anti-immigration poster depicting a line of refugees with the slogan “breaking point,” a piece of propaganda that drew stark comparisons to Nazi imagery. This dual agenda of supporting Putin and fuelling racial discord within the UK raises serious questions about Farage’s motivations and possible connections to Russian interests.
Similarly, Andrew Tate, a social media influencer and former kickboxing champion, has openly expressed his admiration for Vladimir Putin, describing him as a model of strength and leadership. Tate’s endorsement of Putin is matched by his own history of inflammatory and racist rhetoric. He trivialised the Black Lives Matter movement by suggesting physical violence as a response to racial insults, and he relocated to Romania, citing its lax laws on rape and corruption, which he prefers over the Western legal systems. Tate’s provocative statements about women, minorities, and immigrants have contributed to a toxic online environment, echoing the divisive tactics seen in Russian disinformation campaigns. Both Farage and Tate’s public endorsements of Putin, combined with their efforts to incite racial and social discord in the UK, suggest a troubling alignment with the objectives of Russian active measures designed to destabilise Western societies.
Katie Hopkins, a former columnist for The Sun and the Daily Mail, has been a prominent figure in inciting racial and anti-immigration hate in the UK. Hopkins has made numerous inflammatory comments that have sparked widespread condemnation and legal scrutiny. In one of her most notorious columns for The Sun, Hopkins compared migrants to “cockroaches” and suggested using gunships to prevent them from reaching the UK. This piece led to allegations of incitement to racial hatred, with the Society of Black Lawyers calling for an urgent investigation under the Public Order Act 1986. The language she used, reminiscent of dehumanising rhetoric seen in genocidal contexts, was widely criticised as xenophobic and racist, drawing comparisons to neo-Nazi propaganda (Yahoo) (International Business Times UK).
In addition to her divisive rhetoric, Katie Hopkins has also expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin. She praised the Russian leader for his strongman approach and perceived ability to maintain control, aligning her views with a broader trend among certain right-wing figures in the UK who have shown an unsettling admiration for authoritarian tactics. This endorsement of Putin further underscores her alignment with divisive and destabilising rhetoric, echoing strategies often seen in Russian disinformation campaigns designed to sow discord in Western societies.
Oleg Kalugin, a former KGB general, described active measures as a crucial part of Soviet intelligence operations, aimed at sowing discord and weakening adversaries from within. Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB informant, outlined the stages of ideological subversion, which include demoralisation, destabilisation, crisis, and normalisation. Stanislav Lunev, a former GRU officer, highlighted the role of disinformation in shaping public perception and influencing political outcomes.
The statements and actions of Nigel Farage, Andrew Tate, and Katie Hopkins align disturbingly with the objectives of Russian active measures, as described by Oleg Kalugin, Yuri Bezmenov and Stanislav Lunev.
The current unrest in the UK fits into this framework of destabilisation. By spreading false information and inciting violence, right-wing influencers and their enablers are unwittingly playing into a broader strategy of division. Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine has put the UK in a critical position as one of Ukraine’s main backers. The UK’s commitment to providing £3 billion annually in aid to Ukraine and its leadership in advocating for Ukraine’s right to strike targets inside Russia have made it a target for Russian disinformation campaigns.
The riots following the Southport attack are not just a spontaneous outburst of anger but a symptom of a much larger issue. The spread of misinformation by influential figures, the inflammatory rhetoric of political leaders, and the broader geopolitical strategies at play all contribute to a volatile situation. As the UK continues to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, it must also remain vigilant against internal threats fuelled by disinformation and ideological subversion.
The riots in the UK are a complex interplay of domestic and international factors. Influencers like Andrew Tate, political figures with a history of inciting racial hatred, and the broader context of Russian active measures all contribute to the current unrest. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing the root causes of the violence and ensuring a more stable and unified society.
Vudi Xhymshiti, founder and chief editor of The Frontliner Magazine, brings a wealth of experience in reporting on global armed conflicts and political issues. With a background in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism from the University of the Arts London, and studies in Political Science, International Relations, and Diplomacy, Vudi skilfully merges human rights insights with dedicated journalism. His ethical and thoughtful reporting has graced top publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. At The Frontliner, launched in 2023, he explores the profound effects of conflicts on law, human rights, and freedoms, continuing his commitment to impactful storytelling.
