This round-up of claims has been compiled by Full Fact, the UK’s independent fact-checking charity which works to give people access to reliable information they can trust.
Fake image of Andy Burnham circulates online
An image circulating on social media alongside a claim that “Andy Burnham says he will make Makerfield home for more asylum seekers” is fake. The photo, which supposedly shows the Greater Manchester mayor meeting a group of men of Asian heritage, contains a SynthID watermark indicating the image was either created or edited using Google’s AI tools. There are also some inconsistencies within the image that indicate it is not genuine. On closer inspection, the left hand of the man second from the left in the picture does not resemble a hand, and Mr Burnham’s teeth do not align in the way they do in real photos of him.
As well as the fake image, we have found no credible reports of Mr Burnham saying he will “make Makerfield home for more asylum seekers”. Mr Burnham is currently standing as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election which takes place on June 18. It has been reported that Mr Burnham would end the use of private companies to source accommodation for asylum seekers were he to win the by-election and go on to become prime minister, and that he supports changes to limit migration proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood earlier this year. Reports in the media have also highlighted recent contract tenders worth more than £700,000 for a ‘Safe Transitions’ programme run by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which Mr Burnham leads as mayor, aimed at reducing “barriers to accessing housing, welfare and local services” for refugees. We have contacted Mr Burnham’s campaign for comment.
Blackburn video shows a community gathering, not a ‘city council meeting’
A video being shared widely online with false claims it depicts a “city council members’ meeting” actually shows a Gujarati community event. In the clip, which has been circulating on X and Facebook, a large group of men is sitting at long tables eating a meal. Captions shared with the misleading posts say: “Believe it or not. This is a UK city council members meeting.” But this isn’t correct. Full Fact found the same video was originally shared on Instagram with a caption stating it was taking place before the annual general meeting of Bharuchi Vahora UK in Blackburn. During the video it appears the person filming also says “Blackburn, Bangor Hall, BVUK AGM meeting”.
The website for the Bharuchi Vahora UK Association describes itself as a “supportive network for the Bharuchi Vahora community in the UK”. This community is from Bharuch in the state of Gujarat in India. The background visible in the footage matches pictures of a conference room featured on the website for the venue, Bangor Street Community Centre in Blackburn. This is not a council chamber or meeting room. A spokesperson for Bangor Street Community Centre confirmed to another fact checker that it was footage of a community meeting and had “nothing to do with the council in any way”.
Before sharing content like this it’s important to consider whether it comes from a verified and trusted source before sharing. Full Fact’s toolkit has tips and guides on how to spot misleading information.
