DISINFO: People in the UK have become so poor they might start eating each other
SUMMARY
While the UK politicians are busy with the Ukraine crisis, the material situation of ordinary Britons is becoming increasingly dire. Some cities in Britain have even called a state of emergency due to food shortages.
Against this backdrop, UK journalist Jeremy Clarkson wrote that "[h]unger makes people eat their neighbours."
The crisis only started several weeks ago, and Britons are already being nudged toward cannibalism!
RESPONSE
The article advances an emerging pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative suggesting the ongoing food insecurity issues would face some Western countries.
The ominous warning of cannibalism descending on Britain was made by Jeremy Clarkson, a UK motoring journalist who writes a regular opinion column for The Sunday Times. In one of his recent columns, Clarkson, known for a humoristic tone, makes a rather morbid joke that the ongoing food shortages in the UK could escalate into a situation whereby starving Britons are forced to feed on their fellow citizens.
Although the UK government has heard warnings that supply issues are likely to continue and exacerbate due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, there is no evidence suggesting that any segment of the UK population is at risk of cannibalism.
More importantly, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as the processing and transport capacities in Ukraine.
Russian warships block Black Sea trade routes, which prevent the export of Ukrainian grain.
For more information on this topic, read the EUvsDisinfo article covering Russian disinformation related to food security.