How a deleted LinkedIn post was weaponised and seen by millions before the Southport riot

On July 29, 2024, a LinkedIn post by Eddie Murray sparked significant unrest in Southport, England. This post, which was deleted shortly after being published, claimed that a migrant was responsible for a violent incident at a children's dance class. Despite being taken down for spreading false information, the post was viewed by millions and contributed to protests and riots in Southport and beyond. The misinformation spread rapidly on social media, leading to confusion and anger among the public. Murray's post stated, 'My two youngest children went to holiday club this morning in Southport for a day of fun only for a migrant to enter and murder/fatally wound multiple children. My kids are fine. They are shocked and in hysterics, but they are safe. My thoughts are with the other 30 kids and families that are suffering right now. If there's any time to close the borders completely it's right now! Enough is enough. ' This message fueled the belief that the attacker was a migrant, despite the lack of evidence to support this claim. Following the attack, Merseyside Police were cautious about releasing information regarding the suspect, especially since the individual was under 18. This lack of information led to rampant speculation on social media, with many users turning to platforms like X to share their thoughts and theories. Initially, Murray's post reached only a few hundred people, but it was quickly copied and shared across various platforms, leading to millions of views. Influencers and far-right activists began amplifying the false narrative, further escalating tensions in the community. By the time the police arrested a 17-year-old suspect, the misinformation had already taken hold. A group on the messaging app Telegram organized a protest that quickly turned into a riot, with participants shouting slogans and clashing with law enforcement. The government is now investigating how to prevent the spread of false information on social media, as they recognize the role it played in inciting violence and unrest. They aim to ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public to prevent similar incidents in the future.