'These fake posts can destroy people's lives'

COUNCILLORS WANT ACTION ON BOGUS SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

- JOSEPH TIMAN

FAKE Facebook posts and other manipulated images are being used to smear councillors, the M.E.N. can reveal.

Conservative councillors in Salford have been victims of false allegations, including what appear to be screenshots of old social media posts expressing controversial views and using racist language. However, the M.E.N. understands these images have been doctored.

The latest allegation accuses Tory councillor Les Turner of attending a far-right rally in 2011 by using an image of him and his wife Nicky who appear to be holding England flags. But the Boothstown and Ellenbrook councillor has proven that the picture predates the protest.

Speaking about the malicious smears made against him, Coun Turner said: "It can happen to anyone. It could be you."

The Conservative councillors who have been targeted believe the false allegations made against them, which are typically sent to the party and the media using encrypted 'untraceable' emails, have come from certain 'aggrieved' members within the local Tory association. However, they are not the only councillors in Salford who have been caught up in a row over fake social media posts.

Two years ago, several Labour councillors were the subjects of a fake Facebook post that was probed by police. The fake post, which used offensive language, was about the council's controversial decision to approve a licence for a Hooters bar in Salford Quays.

The message, which purported to be written by a senior Labour councillor, suggested the decision was a punishment to locals for voting in a Lib Dem councillor. A screenshot of the fake post sent to the M.E.N. suggested it was liked by other councillors.

However, Greater Manchester Police concluded that the image was 'totally fake' and had 'never been posted on social media!