GB News presenter Alex Armstrong and right-wing social media commentator Bernadette Spofforth have apologised and paid substantial damages to Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali after falsely suggesting he took part in the 2024 Harehills riots in Leeds.
The settlement was outlined at the High Court in London yesterday, with the defendants’ barrister, Samantha Thompson, telling the court that both “apologise to the claimant for the serious harm to his reputation and his distress.”
Ali, who represents Gipton and Harehills on Leeds City Council, attended the scene of the disorder in 2024 to help calm tensions, assist police and protect local residents.
However, social media posts, largely shared by far-right Islamophobic accounts, subsequently portrayed him as a participant in the rioting, with some attempting to link his Muslim identity to the disorder.
The case highlights the serious consequences of publishing false allegations about public figures, particularly when claims are amplified to millions of social media users amid rising anti-Muslim hate.
Millions viewed the false claims
The court heard that Armstrong published two posts about Ali on X which received more than 3.1 million views combined, while Spofforth’s post was viewed 216,000 times.
Armstrong’s second post suggested Ali had dishonestly attempted to distance himself from the rioting. The allegations were subsequently repeated by others, according to the statement presented to the court.
Armstrong is a...
GB News presenter Alex Armstrong and right-wing social media commentator Bernadette Spofforth have apologised and paid substantial damages to Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali after falsely sug...