Norfolk MP Duncan Baker denies using 'fake' Facebook profiles

Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk, has dismissed speculation that he is behind a number of fake accounts which have been sharing and commenting on his Facebook posts. 

Callum Ringer, a Liberal Democrat councillor at North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), claims these accounts are being used to promote the Tory MP by sharing his posts across north Norfolk Facebook groups.

Mr Ringer also claims they comment on posts to defend Mr Baker – often by “attacking” Lib Dem councillors.

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Baker denied the claims, saying: “No, I’m not aware of any fake profiles.

“I think it goes on throughout social media on all sorts of community boards.

“I’m often berated by what look like fake profiles. People need to report them to have those accounts shut down.

“The trouble with social media is we end up having people who can hide anonymously and say whatever they like about politicians."

Reverse image searches of the pictures shared by the profiles found many are taken from other accounts and various sources online. 

One profile had a profile picture of a family from Norfolk which a reverse image search found live in New York. 

Most of the profiles interact with each other, are only friends with or "like" a handful of other accounts - including Mr Baker's Facebook profile. 

A reverse image search of the profile picture of 'Bob Wright', who shares Duncan Baker's Facebook posts in North Walsham groups, found the image in an article on Syracuse.com about Mike Hogle and his family, from Kirkville, New York (Image: Facebook/Syracuse.com)

The profile regularly shares Duncan Baker's Facebook posts in North Walsham groups. Bob Wright is also the name of the mayor of North Walsham (Image: Facebook)

'Caroline Sanders' recently commented to defend Duncan Baker on Facebook. However, a reverse image search of her profile picture found it on another website. Mr Ringer says the profile interacts with other fake accounts - and follows Mr Baker (Image: Facebook)

Mr Ringer said: "It’s orchestrated, as opposed to it being one rogue account.

"It’s not a new thing either - some of the posts date back several years.

"It seems to be something that’s deployed at certain times and always seems very critical against the Liberals, sometimes getting very personal against councillors.

"That’s sad to see because people are being attacked by fake accounts.

"I feel this could only be the tip of the iceberg.

Callum Ringer, a Liberal Democrat councillor at North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) (Image: NNDC)

"It’s going to be difficult to pin down exactly who's deploying them. I’m not accusing anybody, I’m just raising an eyebrow over the similarities between them.

"It makes you wonder where they’re coming from because they’re almost towing the party line.

"They’re fake accounts, you can prove that they are fake. The only thing you can’t prove is exactly who is responsible. That’s the question mark – who’s to blame?

"The people of north Norfolk I’m sure are wise enough to spot it themselves. They’re not fooled and don’t want to be fooled either. It’s disingenuous."