Why the Russian media thinks Britain is on the verge of cannibalism

Russian disinformation has reached new levels of absurdity. According to the pro-Kremlin media, the UK is on the verge of cannibalism. The unlikely source of this terrifying rumour? None other than TV presenter, journalist and part-time farmer Jeremy Clarkson.

Over the past few weeks, the British media has been awash with reports on the spiralling cost of food, utilities and just about everything else. The government and commentators alike have drawn links between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the cost of living crisis engulfing the country. You’d be hard-pressed to miss it.

It seems the Russian media have also picked up on the notes of alarm coming from the UK and in the process, have stumbled across Clarkson’s musings. Writing for the Sunday Times on 15 May, Clarkson laments the war-triggered inflation, and expresses concerns over the inevitability of more people being left unable to afford rocketing food prices.

He writes: ‘Politicians say they are “monitoring the situation”, which means they aren’t doing anything at all, but one day they will have to because while people can live without heat or clothing or even sex, they cannot live without food.