‘Fake news’ and misinformation is ‘causing anxiety and panic’ among the most vulnerable in Slough following racist riots this week, MP Tan Dhesi has said.

The MP spoke out against messages and images circulating through WhatsApp groups claiming that riots were set to take place in Slough. No demonstrations or riots are known to have been planned in the borough.

Highlighting one image on Twitter on Friday, August 9, Mr Dhesi said: “As seen in recent elections, level of misinformation out there is huge.

“Graphics have been circulating for days in Slough WhatsApp groups, causing anxiety and panic especially in most vulnerable. Have people nothing better to do than produce and spread such fake news?”

Mr Dhesi said on Wednesday, August 7, that he had been contacted by people ‘worried about hate and violence blighting our town’ following the riots elsewhere in Britain.

He reassured residents that there are ‘no planned demonstrations yet in Slough’ and criticised ‘unhelpful false rumours’.

And he called on people in Slough to ‘stand together’ against division. Mr Dhesi said: “Across the UK over the last week we have seen the disgraceful discrimination, Islamophobia, and vandalism of those who want to reject cohesion and espouse division.

“We must stand together in the face of this hate consumed thuggery, showing our strength as a peaceful, kind and welcoming community – one that accepts differences, rejects division and takes pride in our diversity.”