Fake Reform poster falsely claims serial killer standing in Britain’s local election
The earliest online iteration of a fake elections poster featured a man who was sentenced in 2010 to life in prison after admitting to the murders of three women in northern England. Its creator said the poster was intended to be satirical, but convincing misinformation can be hard to spot and spreads quickly, especially when sparked by its shock value.
Reuters
A fabricated Reform UK poster being shared online has falsely claimed a man convicted of the murder of three women is standing for the populist party in next month’s local elections.
The fake poster, shared on Facebook, opens new tab in late March, announced Stephen Griffiths as a Reform candidate for the Thornton and Allerton ward of Bradford, in northern England. He was described in a post as an advocate for women’s rights and for decriminalising sex work.
Comments underneath the post congratulated the party.
Spokespeople for both Reform UK and Bradford council said in emails to Reuters that the poster is misinformation.
ADDITIONAL NEWS FROM THE INTEGRITY PROJECT
