Listen to the article
Social media users have been circulating a fabricated newspaper front page claiming to show British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer under the headline “He lied and lied and lied.” The image, which has gained significant traction online, represents the latest instance of manipulated media being weaponized for political purposes in Britain’s increasingly polarized information landscape.
The doctored image purports to be the front page of The i Paper dated Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – a date still in the future. Upon closer examination, fact-checkers have determined the image is actually a manipulated version of a genuine front page from June 16, 2023, which originally featured former Prime Minister Boris Johnson alongside the identical headline.
The original 2023 front page referenced the Privileges Committee investigation into whether Johnson misled Parliament regarding “partygate” – the scandal involving government staff holding parties during COVID-19 lockdowns when such gatherings were prohibited for the general public.
Several telltale signs reveal the image’s fraudulent nature. The fabricated cover contains multiple anachronisms, including a teaser for an article with “tributes to Glenda Jackson,” the acclaimed actor and former Labour MP who died in June 2023. Similarly, it promotes an obituary for footballer Gordon McQueen, who passed away that same year.
Further inconsistencies include references to opinion pieces titled “beware the martyrdom of Saint Boris” and “Bereaved seek an apology from Johnson” – topics clearly related to the Johnson administration rather than Starmer’s current government. Additionally, The i Paper has updated both its cover price and masthead design since 2023, changes not reflected in the manipulated image.
This incident highlights the growing sophistication and prevalence of manipulated media in British politics. Digital misinformation experts point to deepfakes and altered images as particularly potent forms of political messaging, as they leverage existing credibility of established news sources while spreading false information.
“The visual nature of doctored newspaper front pages makes them especially effective at spreading misinformation,” said Dr. Claire Wardle, co-founder of First Draft, an organization combating online misinformation. “Many users scroll quickly through social media feeds, see familiar newspaper layouts, and immediately absorb the headline without scrutinizing details that would reveal manipulation.”
The timing of this fabricated image coincides with increasing scrutiny of the Starmer government over policy decisions related to the budget and immigration. Critics have accused the Labour administration of walking back campaign promises, while supporters argue the government is making necessary adjustments based on fiscal realities inherited from the previous Conservative administration.
Media literacy advocates emphasize the importance of verifying sources before sharing political content, particularly as the UK approaches local elections in many regions. They recommend checking official newspaper archives or websites when encountering provocative front pages shared on social media platforms.
The i Paper, owned by Daily Mail and General Trust, has not officially commented on the manipulated image. However, media outlets increasingly face challenges in responding to falsified versions of their content as digital manipulation tools become more accessible and sophisticated.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing democratic discourse in the digital age, where the authenticity of information continues to be threatened by politically motivated manipulation.
Verify This Yourself
Use these professional tools to fact-check and investigate claims independently
Reverse Image Search
Check if this image has been used elsewhere or in different contexts
Ask Our AI About This Claim
Get instant answers with web-powered AI analysis
Related Fact-Checks
See what other fact-checkers have said about similar claims
Want More Verification Tools?
Access our full suite of professional disinformation monitoring and investigation tools
14 Comments
I’m glad to see fact-checkers were able to identify this as a doctored image. Uncovering these kinds of manipulations is crucial for maintaining trust in media and democratic institutions.
Agreed. Transparency and accountability around the origins and veracity of news content should be a top priority for media outlets and platforms.
This is a concerning example of how misinformation can spread online. It’s a good reminder to always check the source and date of any news or images before sharing or believing them.
Absolutely. In the digital age, we all need to develop the skills to critically evaluate the information we consume and not just passively accept what we see online.
Interesting look at the spread of manipulated media. It’s concerning how easily doctored images can gain traction and spread misinformation, especially around political issues. Important for readers to stay vigilant and fact-check claims.
Yes, I agree. The ability to create convincing fakes is a real challenge in the digital age. Fact-checking is crucial to counter the proliferation of misleading content.
The article highlights the challenges we face in an era of increasingly sophisticated digital manipulation. Maintaining trust in media and democratic institutions will require ongoing efforts to improve media literacy and fact-checking.
I agree. As technology advances, the ability to create convincing fakes will only increase. Strengthening our collective ability to identify and resist misinformation will be crucial going forward.
This is a timely reminder of the risks of an information landscape where manipulated content can spread rapidly. Vigilance and skepticism are essential when engaging with news and social media these days.
Well said. The proliferation of deepfakes and other synthetic media requires all of us to be more discerning and to prioritize authoritative and verified sources of information.
While it’s worrying to see manipulated media like this gaining traction, I’m encouraged that fact-checkers were able to quickly identify and debunk the fabrication. Staying vigilant against misinformation is crucial.
Yes, the speed with which misinformation can spread is alarming. But the work of fact-checkers and media literacy efforts are important countermeasures to combat the proliferation of synthetic and misleading content.
The article highlights the need for better media literacy and critical thinking skills. As information becomes easier to manipulate, we all need to be more discerning consumers of news and content online.
Absolutely. Developing the ability to spot fabricated or doctored media will be an important skill going forward. Fact-checking should be a reflex for anyone consuming news or information online.