Monday afternoon was tense for many, including myself, as news began spreading about a serious incident at Liverpool’s Premier League celebration.
I found myself frantically trying to reach a family member who was there, while social media was already ablaze — but not with clarity or calm.
Instead, platforms like X (formerly Twitter) were flooded with speculation, fear, and outright misinformation.
Some accounts, like the one managed by controversial figure Tommy Robinson, shared distressing footage of people trapped beneath a vehicle that had crashed into the crowd, stoking panic.
The conversation quickly spiraled into assumptions and accusations — many blaming the attack on supposed Islamist terrorists before any facts were confirmed.
Clearing Up the Facts Behind the Incident
But the reality was different. The driver wasn’t who many feared.
It wasn’t a terror attack, nor was the driver a Muslim extremist.
According to police reports, the man behind the wheel was a 53-year-old white Liverpudlian, reportedly under the influence of drugs.
One source described the incident more as a case of “road rage” rather than terrorism — suggesting the driver was either panicked or frightened, which led to the tragic aftermath.
Merseyside Police acted quickly and transparently to release accurate information, mindful of the lessons learned from last summer’s Southport murders, where misinformation had led to public unrest.
But as soon as the facts came out, online conspiracy theorists and extremists shifted their narrative yet again.
How Misinformation and Hate Spread Online
Suddenly, rumors appeared claiming the driver wasn’t the 53-year-old man but a “younger man,” or that armed police snipers were involved.
Some questioned why police released details about the suspect’s race and nationality so quickly, unlike after Southport.
The truth is, the authorities are in a constant battle to prevent racists, extremists, and hostile foreign actors from using incidents like this to fuel division and violence in Britain.
Unfortunately, they are often fighting a losing battle against those who prefer to spread lies and hatred rather than truth.
The Dangerous Game of Online Conspiracy Theories
After Southport, some extremist voices claimed they were being denied “the truth” by the government and police, but Liverpool’s incident exposed their true motives.
Many rushed to their social feeds hoping the attack was Islamist terrorism — not because they cared about facts, but because they wanted to stir up division, prejudice, and fear.
These same groups have successfully pushed a toxic myth after Southport — falsely accusing police and politicians, including Keir Starmer, of covering up details to manipulate public opinion.
None of that was true. The attacker was not Muslim, not part of a terror plot, and wasn’t being monitored by security services as claimed.
He was born in Cardiff in 2006, not an outsider arriving recently by boat as some alleged.
The Catch-22 Police Face in Managing Information
The government and police deserve criticism on many fronts, but when it comes to incidents like Liverpool’s, they seem trapped.
If they withhold information to protect investigations and due process, they’re accused of secrecy and creating confusion.
When they release facts quickly, they’re accused of bias or fueling conspiracy theories.
Even as victims were still receiving treatment, Tory shadow Home Office Minister Chris Philp tweeted that “the public deserve to know the full facts as quickly as possible.”
His wording was a subtle nod to conspiracy theorists eager to believe the worst — a dangerous dog-whistle that risks deepening divisions.
Why Words and Social Media Matter More Than Ever
The Liverpool incident also highlights why courts recently upheld the sentencing of Lucy Connolly, jailed for publishing racially inflammatory material after Southport.
Words aren’t just harmless opinions online; they can incite hatred and violence.
The speed and desperation with which online hate merchants tried to falsely label the Liverpool attacker a Muslim extremist wasn’t random.
They hoped to provoke chaos, to repeat the social unrest sparked by Southport.
The authorities, despite their flaws, are trying to stop this toxic cycle.
Facing a Harsh Reality and Moving Forward
We must accept a hard truth: one day, the UK will face a genuine terror attack committed by a Muslim extremist.
When that happens, hate groups will scream, “See, we were right all along!” citing Southport and Liverpool as “proof.”
But that will be a cruel distortion of reality. Responding to hate with more hate, or spreading lies and conspiracy theories, won’t protect anyone.
The real way to fight extremism is through truth, unity, and resisting the temptation to blame entire communities for the acts of individuals.
The Liverpool attack showed us clearly that what online hate merchants truly want isn’t truth — it’s division and fear.
It’s up to all of us to recognize that and reject their dangerous game.