Bernadette Spofforth, a 55-year-old businesswoman from Chester, is no longer under investigation for her role in the Southport riots. The police have concluded their inquiry into a false social media post that allegedly sparked the unrest, deciding to take no further action due to insufficient evidence.
The incident began when Spofforth shared incorrect information on X (formerly Twitter) about the suspect in a knife attack that resulted in the deaths of three young girls outside a Taylor Swift dance class. The post erroneously claimed the attacker was an asylum seeker who had recently arrived in the UK by boat.
Cheshire Constabulary confirmed the decision, stating, "A woman who was arrested in relation to an inaccurate social media post has been released without charge. Following a thorough investigation, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken due to insufficient evidence."
In a video statement posted on X, Spofforth explained her side of the story. She claimed she had simply made the mistake of repeating information without verifying its source, a departure from her usual practice. The businesswoman stated she deleted the post upon realizing its inaccuracy.
"I want to let you know, though, that on Sep 5, the police issued what's called an NFA, and that means no further action and no charges because I hadn't done anything illegal."
Spofforth described her arrest on August 8, 2024, alleging that police treated her "like a terrorist" during a 36-hour detention. She expressed frustration with the handling of her case, referencing a statement by Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, who previously suggested that deleting erroneous social media posts should resolve such matters.
The false information in Spofforth's post gained traction through Russia-linked accounts and far-right figures. Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate were among those who amplified the misinformation, with their posts garnering millions of views.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in combating the spread of false information. Founded in 2006, X (formerly Twitter) has been at the center of numerous controversies regarding misinformation and its real-world consequences.
The actual suspect in the Southport attack has been identified as Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old born in Cardiff. He faces charges of three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.
As this case concludes, it serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of sharing unverified information on social media and the complex interplay between online activity and real-world events.