Hostile states may have amplified social media disinformation around riots, Cooper says [Video]

Hostile states may be amplifying social media posts on rioting in Britain, home secretary Yvette Cooper has warned.

It comes just one day after as the government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, Lord Walney, warned that far-right actors are “almost certainly” being “aided and abetted by hostile states in creating and fanning disinformation”.

More than 145 people have been arrested so far after riots rocked major cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Hull.

Asked about claims that foreign actors are “fanning disinformation” around the riots on social media, the Ms Cooper said the government “[knows] that there can be amplification of social media activity online.”

But, speaking to Sky News, she added that the government’s focus is currently on “local groups and organisations, including some of those fuelled by far right extremists and …