Dear Friend,

In the newsletter this week

But first...

Posts on social media claim that the Met Police said 18 of the 26 arrests at the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest were of counter-protesters.

That’s false.

The force first said 25 people had been arrested, but later revised this down to 24.

Read the fact check

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While rumours have spread widely on social media, the Met clarified on 17 September that almost all those arrested were believed to have been involved in the main protest.

More fact checks about the march

Best wishes,

Craig
Audience Engagement Manager,
Full Fact

P.S. Our AI team has launched a new LinkedIn Page.

Fact checks

Keep calm and carry arm - picture of “Epping mums” is AI-generated

A viral image supposedly showing “Epping mums” in pink has been shared thousands of times online.

Arms without bodies, floating flags and the ‘Grok’ watermark on the uncropped version all point to it being made using AI.

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No, the chickenpox vaccine isn’t poison (or pointless)

By: Jess Hacker

Since the NHS announced it will offer the chickenpox jab to children across the UK, false claims have spread online. From it being “poison” to it being an mRNA vaccine to it being “pointless”.

The vaccine is safe. It has been used for decades in the US and has been associated with a 97% reduction in cases there.

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Remind me next week

“I’m Chris Morris, CEO of Full Fact: Ask me anything”

Full Fact CEO will be taking your questions in our first ever-ever Reddit AMA.

Date: 29 September (5 - 7pm)
Time: 5pm - 7pm (UK time)
Location: /r/ukpolitics (on Reddit)

Chris will be taking questions on misinformation, the role of evidence in public debate, and whatever else you want to ask.

In the meantime, join the conversation in our own Reddit community.