Bernie Spofforth

[[File:BernieSpofforth.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Spofforth pissing in the shallow end of TalkTV]]{{denialism}}
{{cquote|Anti-Lockdown campaigner Bernie Spofforth is symbolic of the [[Crank magnetism|overlap]] between those opposing public health measures (including [[COVID-19 denialism|COVID-19 deniers]] and [[Anti-vaccination movement|anti-vaxx communities]]) and the [[Climate change|anti-climate movement]] online. Like many others, her regular talking points include conspiracies about the [[World Economic Forum]] and the idea that achieving [[Carbon neutrality|Net Zero]] will cause millions of deaths by ‘mass poverty’.|||Climate Action Against Disinformation: Deny, Deceive, Delay (Vol 2)<ref name=caad>[https://caad.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DDD_ExposingClimateDisinfo-COP27.pdf Deny, Deceive, Delay (Vol 2)] (19 January 2023) ''Climate Action Against Disinformation''</ref>}}

{{cquote|Get to fuck.|||Boxer {{wpl|Josh Taylor (boxer)|Josh Taylor|'s}} response to Spofforth<ref>[https://www.essentiallysports.com/boxing-news-twitter-user-who-called-hugh-jackman-a-hypocrite-for-pushing-bill-gates-climate-change-science-gets-blasted-by-boxing-world-champion/ Twitter User, Who Called Hugh Jackman a Hypocrite for Pushing Bill Gates’ Climate Change Science, Gets Blasted by Boxing World Champion] by Mrinal Mishra (21 March 2023) ''Essentially Sports''</ref>}}

'''Bernadette''' "'''Bernie'''" '''Spofforth''' {{lived|April 1969|}},<ref name=CompaniesHouse>[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/EFg-2ZRGhlJNpzP2a6L50mh0pfw/appointments Bernadette SPOFFORTH] ''Companies House''</ref>  erroneously named '''Bonnie Spofforth''' in a widely {{wpl|churnalism|churned}} ''[[Daily Mail]]'' report,<ref name=mail>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13719449/british-businesswoman-accused-false-information-southport-stabbing-suspect-mortified.html British businesswoman accused of being the first person to share false information about the [[2024 Southport stabbing|Southport stabbing]] suspect wrongly being an asylum seeker says she is 'mortified'] by Vivek Chaudhary (7 August 2024) ''The Daily Mail''</ref> is a [[UK]] based and [[South African]] educated businesswoman<ref name=LinkedIn>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-spofforth-7298095/ Bernadette Spofforth] ''LinkedIn''</ref> and swimwear inventor<ref name=Justia>[https://patents.justia.com/inventor/bernadette-spofforth Patents by Inventor Bernadette Spofforth] ''Justia''</ref> turned [[Denialism|denialist]] and [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theorist]]<ref>[https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/29350/1/s41558-022-01527-x.pdf Growing polarization around climate change on social media] by Max Falkenberg et al (24 November 2022) ''Nature Climate Change''</ref> best known for her arrest for instigating [[2024 United Kingdom riots|race riots across the UK]].<ref>[https://archive.ph/AU7AE Woman who ‘first shared fake name’ of Southport suspect arrested] by Tom Witherow (9 August 2024) ''The Times''</ref> Coming to prominence during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] tweeting out against public health measures around [[COVID-19 vaccine|vaccines]], [[Face masks|masks]] and lockdowns, she later started spreading [[climate change]] misinformation related to [[Agenda 2030]], [[The Great Reset]], climate lockdown, and [[15-minute city|15-minute cities]],<ref>[https://www.mediamatters.org/climate-deniers/right-wing-media-use-misinformation-around-15-minute-cities-pivot-toward-climate Right-wing media use misinformation around 15-minute cities to pivot toward climate change denial] by Ilana Berger (12 April 2023) ''Media Matters''</ref> as well as [[Transphobia|anti-trans rhetoric]],<ref name=kos>[https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/7/12/2180701/-Meet-The-Disinfluencers-Bernie-Spofforth-The-Swimsuit-Inventor-Turned-Climate-And-COVID-Liar Meet The Disinfluencers: Bernie Spofforth, The Swimsuit Inventor Turned Climate and COVID Liar] by ClimateDenierRoundup (12 July 2023) ''Daily Kos''</ref> amassing over 235,000 followers on her primary account before losing it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230722151654/https://twitter.com/BernieSpofforth Bernie's Tweets] ''Twitter''</ref> ClimateDenierRoundup, pondering why a "supposedly successful" entrepreneur would decide to devote so much time to spreading disinformation on Twitter, concludes: {{Quotebox|Well, in addition to the fact that Spofforth’s swimsuit business would indirectly benefit from decreased COVID restrictions, her heinous Twitter feed caught the attention of major [[right-wing]] news outlets in the UK and earned her interviews on conservative networks like [[TalkTV]] and [[GB News]]. Perhaps she enjoys the limelight!<ref name=kos />}} 

She has written articles on [[economics]], the environment and [[China]] for ''Byline Times''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231130205003/https://bylinetimes.com/2020/02/27/coronavirus-how-the-global-economy-could-catch-a-cold/ Coronavirus: How the Global Economy Could Catch a Cold] by Bernadette Spofforth (21 February 2020) ''Byline Times''</ref> and ''Country Squire Magazine'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211106181244/https://countrysquire.co.uk/2020/11/21/chinas-consumerist-virus/ China’s Consumerist Virus] by Bernadette Spofforth (21 November 2020) ''Country Squire Magazine''</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211102102422/https://countrysquire.co.uk/2021/11/02/saving-the-planet-one-mask-at-a-time/ Saving the Planet One Mask at a Time] by Bernadette Spofforth (2 November 2021) ''Country Squire Magazine''</ref> and been platformed as an expert by the likes of [[Julia Hartley-Brewer]],<ref name=national>[https://www.thenational.scot/news/24498059.talk-tv-julia-hartley-brewer-accused-justifying-far-right-violence/ Talk TV: Julia Hartley-Brewer accused of 'justifying' far-right violence] by Steph Brawn (5 August 2024) ''The National''</ref> [[Neil Oliver]] and [[Dan Wootton]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13105231/ Bernie Spofforth] ''IMDb''</ref> This platforming was criticised in the wake of the 2024 United Kingdom riots, which were instigated,<ref>[https://archive.ph/HZ1sE Who is behind Southport social media storm — and can they be stopped?] by Mark Sellman (1 August 2024) ''The Times''</ref> in part, by the spread of false details originating with Spofforth about the [[2024 Southport stabbing]], with Prof. {{wpl|Jonathan Portes||}} stating on Talk TV:
{{Quotebox|It’s interesting that you mentioned Bernie Spofforth who was indeed the person who appears to have been the one who set off this false rumour about the incident in Southport because of course she appeared not once but several times on [[mainstream media]], indeed on Talk TV a few years ago. That’s where she came to prominence.<ref name=national />}}

Spofforth was arrested and held in custody for 36 hours by Cheshire police on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up [[racist]] hatred and false communications in relation to a social media post containing inaccurate information about the identity of the attacker in the Southport murders.<ref name=bbc1>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y38gjp4ygo The real story of the news website accused of fuelling riots] by Marianna Spring (8 August 2024) ''BBC Verrify''</ref> The police later announced that no further action would be taken due to insufficient evidence.<ref name=bbc2>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl8nwx6ynzo No charge over spreading of Southport misinformation] by Paul Burnell & PA Media (18 September 2024) ''BBC News''</ref>
 
==Going swimmingly==
Spofforth, according to reporting around her role in instigating the 2024 UK riots, is a millionaire businesswoman and mother of three (including actor Theo and artist Issy) married to sculpture artist Colin Spofforth with whom she shares Stamford Mill Farm (a £1.5 million farmhouse just outside Chester in Cheshire, England).<ref name=times /><ref>[https://archive.ph/G9ueN First person to spread Southport rumour unmasked - and she has famous family] by Saffron Otter (8 August 2024) ''Daily Mirror''</ref>

Prior to her resignation in March 2024,<ref name=CompaniesHouse /> Spofforth spent over a decade as Managing Director of safety swimwear company {{wpl|Splash About International||}}<ref name=LinkedIn /> and has one utility patent and a handful of design patents for children's swimwear to her name.<ref name=Justia /> COVID and climate change denialist Spofforth touted the company's flagship product for its environmentally-friendly reusability and its innovative silver lining, which allegedly prevents the spread of COVID-19 and other harmful [[bacteria]] and [[viruses]], saying:
{{Quotebox|Choosing this reusable swim nappy means reducing our waste levels and lowering our environmental footprint and ensuring pool water is as clean as it can be - which can only be a positive thing.<ref>[https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/bacteria-busting-next-generation-infant-21348944 Bacteria-busting next generation infant swimwear takes pool protection up a level] by David Laister (19 August 2021) ''BusinessLive''</ref>}}

ClimateDenierRoundup explains this apparent dichotomy:
{{Quotebox|Many climate disinfluencers will say anything that benefits them, even when it [[War on Science|contradicts science]] or their own past statements. When Spofforth is trying to sell swimsuits, she is all for helping out the environment, but when she wants to stand in the right-wing spotlight, she’ll use the deniers’ favorite term “climate scam.” Do better, Bernie!<ref name=kos />}}

Before this Spofforth was a director of four dissolved companies, including acting as the co-founder and co-director of Intempo Digital, a company that sold wholesale electric household goods (including radios) from 2004 until its dissolution in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=INTEMPO DIGITAL LIMITED people|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05265109/officers |website=Find and update company information |publisher=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mackintosh |first1=Hamish |title=Talk time: Bernadette Spofforth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2004/sep/16/newmedia.interviews |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=16 September 2004}}</ref>  Her LinkedIn profile attributes three other Directorships to her, namely European Micro Plc, The Brand Cloud Ltd and Ultimate Products PLC.  However Companies House records do not show her as a Director of any of these (the first two of which are also dissolved).

==Not waving but drowning==
Spofforth flushed this seemingly idyllic life as she got out of her depth in the cesspool of pandemic and climate disinformation with a series of increasingly erratic tweets concluding with her apparent arrest.

===Madness reigns===
In a July 31, 2023, tweet, viewed 972,000 times, Spofforth falsely claimed that the {{wpl|2022 United States Congress hearings on UFOs}} had included the reading of a letter from extraterrestrials warning of air and water contamination to which she responded:
{{blockquote|Seriously this is the worst bit of incoherent nudging ever seen. Even the media know they can't pull this off! Madness reigns 🤡}}
The footage attached was in fact former Canadian defense minister {{wpl|Paul Hellyer||}} reading an extract from ''The Keepers: An Alien Message for the Human Race'' (2006) by Jim Sparks at a 2021 so-called "Citizen Hearing".<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-letter-sent-aliens-read-congress-ufo-hearing-1817594 Fact Check: Was Letter Sent by Aliens Read Out at Congress UFO Hearing?] by Tom Norton (4 August 2023) ''Newsweek''</ref>

===If this is true, then all hell is about to break loose===
Within hours of the [[2024 Southport stabbing]], which resulted in the deaths of three young girls, Spofforth fanned the flames of hatred by spreading false information in a tweet seen by over 1.5 million people<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/southport-attack-misinformation-fuels-far-right-discourse-on-social-media-13188274 Southport attack misinformation fuels far-right discourse on social media] by Tom Cheshire and Sam Doak (31 July 2024) ''Sky News''</ref> which read:
{{quotebox|SOUTHPORT - If this is true, then all hell is about to break loose.<p>Southport Stabbings suspect, Ali-Al-Shakati, was on [[MI6]] watch list and was known to Liverpool mental health services. He was an asylum seeker who came to UK by boat last year.<p>I’m done with the mental ‘health excuse’. You should be as well!}}

It wasn’t true, but all hell broke loose regardless as the dubious [[Islamic]]-sounding name and supporting details were picked up and elaborated upon by {{wpl|Channel3 Now||,}}<ref>[https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2024/08/02/southport-stabbings-how-online-disinformation-ignited-unrest-across-the-uk/ Southport stabbings: how online disinformation ignited unrest across the UK] by Xavier Greenwood (2 August 2024) ''Tortoise''</ref> a fake news aggregation site, initially alleged to have [[Russian]] ties,<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/03/obscure-russian-linked-news-outlet-fuelling-violence/ The obscure Russian-linked ‘news’ outlet fuelling violence on Britain’s streets] by Lauren Shirreff (3 August 2024) ''The Telegraph''</ref><ref name=bbc1 /> and right-wing grifters, including [[Andrew Tate]], [[Tommy Robinson]] and [[Nigel Farage]],<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/southport-stabbing-latest-far-right-riots-b2590454.html Fact checked: The false far-right claims that sparked riots in Southport and across UK] by Tom Watling (3 August 2024) ''The Independent''</ref> fueling the racist hate which instigated the 2024 riots.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/southport-riots-violence-protests-far-right-tommy-robinson-edl-nigel-farage-reform-b1174829.html How online lies and misinformation fuelled UK riots - and what really happened] by Lydia Chantler-Hicks (6 August 2024) ''Evening Standard''</ref>

As public backlash and potential legal ramifications became increasingly apparent, veteran denialist Spofforth deleted her tweet and issued an anonymous denial to ''The Times'' stating: {{quotebox|Yes I did [post it] … It was a spur of the moment ridiculous thing to do, which has literally destroyed me. It was just a mistake. I did a really stupid stupid thing, I copied and pasted it from what I saw, and I added the line ‘if this is true’. I think it is very easy for a situation which is very emotional and very heightened, so you can end up believing what you’re seeing. People should be very careful about putting what they think is true without doing the research.<ref name=times />}}

When tracked down by the ''Daily Mail'' and the BBC, Spofforth went on record by telling the former:
{{quotebox|I'm mortified that I'm being accused of this. I did not make it up. I first received this information from somebody in Southport. My post had nothing to do with the violence we've seen across the country. But I acknowledge that it may have been the source for the information used by a [[Russian]] news website.<ref name=mail />}}

And the latter: {{quotebox|Why on earth would I make something up like that? I have nothing to gain and everything to lose.<ref name=bbc1 />}} Adding that she was “not motivated by making money” on her account.

===No further action===
Despite the veteran denialist's repeated denials of any and all responsibility,<ref name=times>[https://archive.ph/NesK0 The mother of three who sparked havoc with false claim about Southport suspect] by Tom Witherow, Shayma Bakht and Mark Sellman (2 August 2024) ''The Times''</ref><ref name=mail /><ref name=bbc1 /> Spofforth was arrested by Cheshire police on August 8, 2024 on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up [[racist]] hatred and false communications in relation to a social media post containing inaccurate information about the identity of the attacker in the Southport murders.<ref>[https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2024/8/woman-arrested-in-connection-with-inaccurate-social-media-post/ Woman arrested in connection with inaccurate social media post] (8 August 2024) ''Cheshire Constabulary''</ref><ref>[https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/24507005.chester-woman-55-arrested-fake-id-post-southport-attacker/ Chester: Woman, 55, arrested over fake ID post on Southport attacker] by Mark Dowling (8 August 2024) ''The Standard''</ref><ref>[https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-woman-arrested-over-inaccurate-29704580 Chester woman arrested over inaccurate social media post about identity of Southport attack] by Jonathan Blackburn (8 August 2024) ''Cheshire Live''</ref> She was released on bail 36 hours later.<ref>[https://inews.co.uk/news/woman-shared-false-southport-suspect-bailed-3220329 Woman who shared false name of Southport suspect on social media bailed] by Bill McLoughlin (10 August 2024) ''The i''</ref> The police later announced that due to insufficient evidence no further action would be taken.<ref name=bbc2>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl8nwx6ynzo No charge over spreading of Southport misinformation] by Paul Burnell & PA Media (18 September 2024) ''BBC News''</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spofforth, Bernadette}}

[[Category:Anti-vaccination movement]]
[[Category:Business]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:COVID-19 denialists]]
[[Category:Crank magnetism]]
[[Category:Denialists]]
[[Category:Far-right politics]]
[[Category:Global warming denialists]]
[[Category:Islamophobes]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Right-wing activists]]
[[Category:Transphobes]]

Categories: Anti-vaccination movement, Business, Conspiracy theorists, COVID-19 denialists, Crank magnetism, Denialists, Far-right politics, Global warming denialists, Islamophobes, Living people, Racists, Right-wing activists, Transphobes