Disinformation expert debunks fake news about Southport stabbings | LBC

The 17 year-old suspect in the Southport stabbings has been identified by police as being 'from Cardiff.' So how how did false rumours spread online that he was 'an asylum seeker'? Disinformation operations analyst Stephanie Lamy speaks to Tom Swarbrick.

Meanwhile, tributes have poured in for the three girls who were killed, now named publicly as Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

Bebe, 6, Elsie, 7, and Alice, 9, were stabbed at a Taylor Swift dance club in the seaside town on Monday.

Eight other children were hurt, five of whom are in a critical condition in hospital. Two other adults are in a critical condition.

The families of two of the children paid tribute on Tuesday after they were named.

Bebe's family said: "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe."

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LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.

[poperamone]

This woman needs to be prosecuted for Inciting violence and have have the privilege of using the internet taken away. Perhaps via a stretch in jail.

[markshaz]

The police came out and said that he was born in Cardiff and moved to Southport, so how can he be an asylum seeker. People use this to be outraged and use this as an excuse for hate and violence.

[SA-zoom]

It took me 30 seconds to debunk the made-up name floating around on X. People need to understand that the police can not just name a 17 year old suspect. He needs to be charged, and then a judge needs to allow the real name to be released if it's deemed to be in the public interest. If this animal was 18, this would not be up for discussion.

[ssorcnivek]

Media and authorities withhold information . This is unhelpful because it gives rise to suspicions and rumours .

[hgmet]

A lot of disinformation can be avoided by the police informing the public of what they know in a timely manner.

[Whythehate]

'Jenni Stancombe, the mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe, reportedly wrote on Facebook: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.”'

[britishandproud-dpww]

The reason misinformation happens is because of NO information from the Police.

[danmayberry]

If politicians did cite from an article they knew to be false, they need to be prosecuted. In times of war, that might be treasonous.

[ptv]

Part of the problem is that a significant section of the population was desperate for the killer to be an immigrant. And in fact, if they are honest, THAT was more important than the victims fate. That - their overbidding hope that the killer was an immigrant- was the most important part of this to them.

[lee]

Three children dead and THIS is what you’re talking about??? 🤬 the media are awful

[antoncannon]

I love how the media are critical of how social media covers it
But not looking at how they themselves cover it? 👀

[golemsnatch]

It used to be "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see". Now you can't believe anything you hear or see, especially from the media.

[Richard-yg]

I am in shock. This is absolutely heart breaking. and my heart goes out to those girls and their families friends and the community. I have read a lot of peoples comments on this horrific crime any many are assuming that the 17 year old born in Cardiff is an immigrant. without knowing the facts or how the law works. What is sickening that these people are using the murders of these children as a means to insight racial conflict. Show some respect and allow justice to do its work and keep your bigoted opinions to yourselves and give people time to grieve for heavens sake.

[goshmiah]

Its doesnt matter who or what motivated an evil act like this. Main story is of little innocent lives ended by a murderer.

[TheGeneReyva]

It's not some 17 year old. It's a monster.

[buldoggtoast]

My heart goes to the family of the victims. 💔 . I hope this is the last time we see tragedies like this one.

[infinxte]

Prosecute these people for spreading misinformation and causing chaos, rather than one-off mean tweets

[najmabegum]

It was and it is their wishful thinking that its a immigrant and a Muslim! Oh, and a asylum seeker to put cherry on top of grieving parents and community. R.i.p to these children and my condolences to the parents and loved ones.

[Wishing_you_peace]

Divisive information does not help any of us.

[jonesste]

It's sad how desperate these hateful people are in order to attach their conspiracy theories to anything grounded in reality, no care for the victims