We do not determine issues, or make judgements, based on our political persuasions, romantic notions or internet algorithms. Those who are in positions of power, whether former Scottish first ministers, or social media owners, need to be careful not to misuse that power—and fuel speculation and the blaming of the other. It’s a game that Christians should refuse to play.

A 44-second video of a young Scottish girl in Dundee, tartaned up and brandishing a knife and an axe, fending off the immigrant hordes has, thanks to Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson, gone ‘viral’. The incident that sparked this meme, and the resultant non-conversation, is a salutary warning to both church and society, that we need to be careful before commenting on people and incidents that we do not know.  Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

She was called ‘the girl with no name’—although she does have a name. In the mythical version, which is as fake as the AI generated meme of her, she is called ‘Sophie from Dundee’. Some of those who believe this narrative have contributed to a crowdfunder which has raised over £62,000 for the girl. They see her as representative of the tens of thousands of girls in the UK, often working-class white girls, who have been abused and not listened to.

What about the man who is being accused on social media? Is he ‘the immigrant with no name’? No, he too has a name. He is reportedly a 21-year-old Bulgarian, married with a young baby, who has been in this country for four years. Contrary to some claims, they are not illegal immigrants. Furthermore, the police have confirmed that CCTV footage of the area shows that he committed no crime. In an interview with The Daily Mail, he claims he was on his way to the shops when the young girls confronted them.

Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell made the following statement: “We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media in relation to an incident where a Bulgarian couple were approached by youths in St Ann Lane on Saturday August 23. A 12-year-old girl has been charged with being in possession of offensive weapons. She will be referred to the relevant authorities, and our inquiries are ongoing. We would like to thank the local community for their help with our investigation. We would urge the public not to share misinformation about this incident or speculate on the circumstances.”

Despite this plea there continues to be claim and counter-claim.

Here in Australia more than one Christian commentator has picked up on the story and spoken as though the video was self-evidently true. They rightly speak in sympathy for the thousands of girls who have not been heard.

But when you take one particular case you had better make sure that you know what you are talking about—and follow the advice of the police not to speculate, especially if that speculation is based on one short video and a few tweets from well-known people. The danger is that if it turns out that the man and his wife were the victims then you end up doing great harm, not only to them, but to the other real victims you are seeking to help, whose oppressors can just claim they are yet another example of people crying wolf.

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