Sign with defiant message for terrorists goes viral and is commended in parliament – but is an online fake

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

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.

BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) "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

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.”

Olly Barratt (@ollybarratt) MPs applauding a fake tube sign. A 'wonderful tribute' says Theresa May about the fake tube sign.

London attack: Theresa May says Westminster assailant was British-born and known to MI5 – live Read more

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.

George Freeman MP (@Freeman_George) 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

Amol Rajan (@amolrajanBBC) Glad this is going viral. "Politely" pic.twitter.com/2aaN4aKv8A

Kay Burley (@KayBurley) Why we ❤️ London

- via @MalCPD #londonattack #WestminsterAttack pic.twitter.com/xvoXHWqkUK

Many of them, including Robinson, later clarified it was fake, but said the sentiment stood:

Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) 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

Kay Burley (@KayBurley) For the avoidance of any doubt this is a computer generated sign but nevertheless a sentiment shared by millions (@elenacresci) https://t.co/067AG7GVrz

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:

Oval Tube Station (@Oval_station) Thursday 23rd March Thought Of The Day From Oval Station #IAmLondon #wearenotafraid #Ilovelondon pic.twitter.com/Jouvwb6JvG

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.