United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2009
Ownership
Full Fact is an independent British fact-checking organisation founded in 2009 by businessman Michael Samuel (its chair) and Will Moy (its long-time director). It is a registered charity (Charity Commission no. 1158683), governed by a cross-party board of trustees rather than any commercial owner. It is not owned by a media group, party or state body.
Funding
Financed by charitable donations and grants from foundations and tech companies, with listed major funders including the Nuffield Foundation, Luminate, Google and Meta/Facebook, plus individual donors and revenue from running fact-checking and statistics training. All donations above £5,000 are disclosed on its website.
Affiliation & stance
Full Fact is a non-partisan charity with a deliberately neutral remit (advancement of public education / accurate public debate) and no party or government allegiance. Because it is independently governed, privately/charitably financed and free of party or state control, it is INDEPENDENT (the site's INDEPENDENT/CENTER labels are accurate).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 40
83/100
Factual
84/100
Objective
60
Articles
60
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
Photo of Andy Burnham edited to include several women wearing Islamic dress
On 1 July 2026, Full Fact reported that an image circulating on social media showing Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield, standing next to several women wearing Islamic dress had been edited. The article states that the image was altered to include women in hijabs and niqabs who were not present in the original photograph posted by Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell on 22 June. The original photo showed Burnham with Powell and Jessica Morden during his return to Parliament. The edited image removed these two women but kept other figures like Chancellor Rachel Reeves and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in their positions. Other unedited photos from the same day show Burnham with Labour colleagues from different angles, confirming there are no authentic images of him with a group of women in Islamic dress in the foreground. The article highlights the importance of verifying images before sharing them on social media, noting that similar fake images of Burnham have circulated previously.
Venezuelan police officers arrested over alleged looting after earthquakes
Four Venezuelan police officers have been arrested and face dismissal after being accused of looting cash from the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira following devastating twin earthquakes. The earthquakes, which killed nearly 2,000 people and left tens of thousands missing, have sparked public outrage over the slow government response and allegations of misconduct by military and police personnel. Social media videos show civilians confronting officers from the CICPC, a forensic agency, as they allegedly took money from the ruins. The CICPC stated that the officers were removed from duty and disciplinary actions began. Volunteers continue to assist in search efforts despite challenges, expressing frustration with the lack of official support and reports of looting and blocked aid.
Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister
Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as leader of the Labour Party and as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announcing his intention to step down as Labour leader and allowing for a leadership contest to determine the next prime minister. He stated that he believes he is not the best person to lead Labour into the next general election and has informed the King of his decision. A timetable for the leadership contest has been outlined, with nominations opening on 9 July and concluding by 16 July. Starmer emphasized his commitment to ensuring an orderly transition of power and pledged to support his successor. Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, has confirmed his candidacy for the leadership position, receiving early support from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Other potential contenders include former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, though he remains undecided. Burnham, upon being sworn in as an MP for Makerfield, faced both applause and some opposition in the House of Commons. His priorities reportedly include focusing on becoming an MP first and later addressing whether to call a general election if he becomes prime minister. Starmer's tenure as Prime Minster
Keir Starmer to unveil 'game-changing' defence funding plan after major row
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a delayed £15 billion defense funding plan aimed at modernizing the UK's armed forces with a focus on drones and autonomous weapons. The plan, which includes equipping the Commando Force with high-speed boats and lethal strike drones, as well as replacing aging naval destroyers with drone-equipped warships, comes amid internal government disputes over funding levels. Defense Secretary John Healey and other officials resigned earlier this month, criticizing the government for insufficient investment. New Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis has secured additional funding, bringing the total to £15 billion over four years, though defense experts argue this still falls short of the £28 billion requested. Starmer emphasized the plan's role in enhancing national security, supporting British industry, and keeping the country safe against evolving threats.
Teenager did not die after arrest at Sheffield protest
On 13 June 2026, a video circulated on social media claiming that a person died after being arrested by police during a protest in Sheffield. The video, which was widely shared on platforms like X and Facebook, showed a man draped in a Union Jack flag being detained by officers. However, Full Fact investigated the claim and confirmed that the individual in question was a 17-year-old boy who did not die. Instead, he was taken to the hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries during the arrest and later discharged himself. South Yorkshire Police confirmed the account, stating that the boy was de-arrested for medical care and that there was no fatality. The Independent Office of Police Complaints (IOPC) initially received a referral but later determined it did not meet the criteria for an investigation.
False claim cancer is ‘trying to heal’ shared again online
An article from Full Fact debunks a false claim that cancer is 'trying to heal' the body by creating tumors as 'bags' to collect toxins. The claim suggests that biopsies could release toxins back into the body, which is incorrect. Tumors are composed of cancer cells and do not function as protective containers for toxins. Biopsies involve taking small cell samples to test for cancer and, while there is a very small risk of 'tumor seeding' where cancer spreads along the needle path, they generally improve cancer outcomes. The article notes that similar misinformation has circulated online for years and has been refuted by multiple reputable sources including the NHS, Cancer Research UK, and the World Health Organization. The claim is labeled as false due to its potential to mislead patients and delay effective treatment.
Notorious Liverpool gangster killed in Holland nine years after 'committing a double murder' was shot dead while trying to collect a debt
A notorious Liverpool gangster named Paul Parker was killed in a violent incident in the Netherlands in June 2026. According to the Daily Mail, Parker was shot dead while attempting to collect a debt inside a garage in Heerhugowaard. The incident involved a confrontation where Parker allegedly stabbed two men before being shot by one of them. Police responded to the scene with armed units and a helicopter, arresting the two men involved. Parker had previously been linked to the 2017 double murder of Dutchman Pieter Hoovers and his Thai wife Tae Kawepanya in Amsterdam. At the time, Dutch authorities had released CCTV footage of a British suspect and offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. Parker was identified as the suspect, though no formal charges were mentioned in the article. The Daily Mail obtained a photo showing Parker with Hoovers, suggesting a prior relationship. Parker had fled the UK approximately 25 years ago and had a history of criminal activity, including a 1993 conviction alongside his brother for the murder of a teenager during a failed drug deal.
No evidence viral picture of ‘migrant lorry’ stopping on M62 is real
An image circulating on Facebook claimed to show migrants exiting a lorry on the M62 motorway, but investigations indicate it lacks credible evidence of authenticity. The image contains a SynthID watermark suggesting it was generated or edited using AI tools like those developed by OpenAI. While parts of the image appear consistent with sections of the M62 near Middleton, Greater Manchester, no verified records or credible sources confirm the event occurred on 11 June. National Highways confirmed no logs of such an incident, and no media outlets or social media posts corroborate the claim. Although police have previously stopped lorries on the M62 during immigration operations, this specific incident remains unverified.
No, sunscreen doesn’t cause skin cancer
An article from Full Fact refutes claims that sunscreen causes skin cancer, stating these claims stem from a misinterpretation of a 2023 study. The study, which analyzed UK Biobank data, found that frequent sunscreen users had higher skin cancer rates, leading some to incorrectly conclude sunscreen causes cancer. However, Full Fact explains this is a case of 'confounding by indication,' where factors like increased sun exposure among sunscreen users explain the correlation. The study acknowledges this issue and emphasizes proper sunscreen use reduces UV risk. NHS guidelines support sunscreen as part of sun safety, though effectiveness depends on correct application.
Toy company not selling inflatable ‘bounce houses’ for £2
On 30 June 2026, Facebook posts claimed that Smyths Toys was offering Little Tikes inflatable 'bounce houses' for £2 to those completing a short survey. The posts included fabricated receipts, images of the products, and a fake checkout page, and were attributed to a woman claiming her sister worked at Smyths Toys. However, these claims were debunked by a Smyths Toys spokesperson, who confirmed the offers were fake. The linked website appeared to mimic Smyths Toys but had a different URL, layout, and interface. Full Fact identified the claim as false.
More AI videos of small boat crossings circulate on Facebook
On 24 June 2026, Full Fact reported that several videos circulating on Facebook claiming to show illegal migrants arriving in the UK via small boats were AI-generated. These videos, which include scenes of men in life jackets on small boats alongside British border patrol vessels, were flagged using SynthID, a digital watermark from Google's AI tools. Multiple videos showed inconsistencies, such as misspelled terms like 'Burder force' and changing life jackets, indicating artificial creation. Full Fact confirmed that while hundreds of people have indeed crossed the English Channel by small boat recently, the videos in question are not authentic. The organization urged users to verify sources before sharing such content and provided resources for identifying AI-generated material.
Video does not show police ‘seizing’ mannequin for ‘offending Pakistani community’
An article published by Full Fact on 30 June 2026 debunks a viral video claiming that UK police seized a mannequin due to complaints from the Pakistani community about its 'immodest clothing'. The article states that the video actually depicts police officers attending a protest on 20 November 2025 against the government's decision to ban the group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident occurred during a protest and clarified that the mannequin was placed into a police van as part of the event. The article notes that the government's ban on Palestine Action was later ruled lawful by the Court of Appeal on 15 June 2026. It emphasizes the importance of verifying sources before sharing content on social media.
Video of Royal Navy officer discussing migrant Channel crossings is fake
A viral video purporting to show a Royal Navy officer condemning illegal migration across the English Channel as a violation of British sovereignty has been debunked as fake. The clip, shared widely on Facebook, features a man in a white dress uniform speaking on a ship flying the Union Jack. However, the video contains visible signs of AI manipulation, including the SynthID watermark from Google's AI tools, facial distortions, and glitches in the background. Full Fact confirmed the video was artificially generated and not a genuine recording of a military official. Despite being exposed as fake, many social media users accepted the video as authentic.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.