A London tube sign with a defiant message for terrorists that went viral in the wake of Wednesday’s attack on Westminster was created by an online tube sign generator and never existed in a London underground station.
Yet that did not stop the sign being shared and disseminated as though it had been written by London Underground staff. It was read out by Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4’s flagship news programme Today.
"This is London: Whatever you do to us, we will drink tea, and jolly well carry on" - MP reads #Westminster messagehttps://t.co/gz8TbgZyXn pic.twitter.com/wVqGXRep35
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 23, 2017
Before midday it was even discussed in parliament when it was read out by MP Simon Hoare. Theresa May called it “a wonderful tribute” which “encapsulated everything everybody in this house has said today.”
MPs applauding a fake tube sign. A 'wonderful tribute' says Theresa May about the fake tube sign.
— Olly Barratt (@ollybarratt) March 23, 2017
The sign read: “All terrorists are politely reminded that THIS IS LONDON and whatever you do to us we will drink tea and jolly well carry on thank you.”
The sentiment was shared by thousands – including journalists and MPs.
#WeAreNotAfraid pic.twitter.com/xQm8z3yy7r
— Ranj Singh (@DrRanj) March 23, 2017
Love this message from tube staff: "This is London. And whatever you do to us we will drink tea and jolly well carry on." pic.twitter.com/b2mHGaiCe6
— George Freeman MP (@Freeman_George) March 23, 2017
Glad this is going viral. "Politely" pic.twitter.com/2aaN4aKv8A
— Amol Rajan (@amolrajanBBC) March 23, 2017
Why we ❤️ London
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) March 23, 2017
- via @MalCPD #londonattack #WestminsterAttack pic.twitter.com/xvoXHWqkUK
Many of them, including Robinson, later clarified it was fake, but said the sentiment stood:
Well, you learn something every day. That lovely tube sign might be "fake" but the sentiment isn't for thousands sharing it @BBCr4today https://t.co/qrnD3JU9xW
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) March 23, 2017
For the avoidance of any doubt this is a computer generated sign but nevertheless a sentiment shared by millions (@elenacresci) https://t.co/067AG7GVrz
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) March 23, 2017
The sign generator was created by Yorkshire-based developer Tim Waters. In 2015, he was asked by a lawyer from TfL to take down the website because the organisation was concerned it was being used to circulate racist messages.
A mirror site was set up not long after, which states the site is no longer associated with Waters.
After big news events, such as the murder of Jo Cox and the 2015 attack at Leytonstone tube station, underground staff often write encouraging messages on announcement whiteboards. On Wednesday and Thursday, plenty of these were spotted by commuters:
💔 Hard to write today. #Westminster #RIP #LondonIsOpen #LAS #LFB #metpolice #BTP #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/YVMiSwqXpu
— Tower Hill Station (@towerhilltube) March 23, 2017
Thursday 23rd March Thought Of The Day From Oval Station #IAmLondon #wearenotafraid #Ilovelondon pic.twitter.com/Jouvwb6JvG
— Oval Tube Station (@Oval_station) March 23, 2017
This is not the first time a fake sign made by the online generator has been shared widely. It also happened with a fake sign featuring the popular hashtag #YouaintnoMuslimbruv, which trended after the stabbing at Leytonstone tube station.
You just have to love London. #YouAintNoMuslimBruv pic.twitter.com/ji63Gcwn2X
— Philip Montague (@get_sme) December 6, 2015
