A sudden wave of violent far-right riots has engulfed the UK in flames and fear as the country has seen shocking events including the arson of asylum seeker accommodation, racially aggravated assault, and Islamaphobic chants. But what triggered this chain of events?

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The far-right riots were sparked after three young girls tragically lost their lives in a mass stabbing in Southport.

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Despite the attacker being born and raised in Wales to Christian Rwandan parents, misinformation spread about the attacker's origins provoked outrage.

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Groups percieved to be The English Defence League (EDL), led riots which began in Southport near the scene of the crime and have spread rapidly throughout the country since.

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Just hours after the attack, a false name alleged to be the attacker was posted to social media by a page called @artemisfornow, which wrongfully claimed the attacker was named "Ali Al-Shakati".

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In reality, the teen responsible for the mass stabbings is called Axel Rudakubana, a black 17-year-old boy who was born in Cardiff, Wales. His parent emigrated from Rananda however they are not believed to be Muslims.

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An X account called Europe Invasion falsely claimed that the attacker was Muslim, despite him having been raised as a Christian.

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The account in question is known to post Islamaphobic and anti-immigrant content.

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Rudakubana was described as a "quiet choir boy" with former neighbours of the family claiming they were a pleasant family.

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Unfortunately, riots have continued to escalate throughout the UK, with more cities being announced as targets for "protests".

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