Keir Starmer recently stood at the center of a conspiracy theory that began with a handful of X accounts and was eventually circulated online by Russian state media.

The iPaper interviewed Melanie Smith about this recurring phenomenon of Russian information operations, which, in this case, spread the conspiracy that Starmer hired male sex workers and did not pay them. Melanie explained that while the accounts initially promoting the conspiracy theory were not a part of Russian information operation networks, these networks later spread the story.

“We do see them quite often pick up and amplify stories that are provably false,” Melanie said. She explained that Russian propagandists “monitor the online ecosystem trying to figure out which narratives are circulating and which ones of those work to their advantage.”

Melanie highlighted that this lurid conspiracy fits into Russia’s goal of painting a “geopolitical narrative that the West is failing” by crafting an image of declining traditional values and corrupt political leaders.

Melanie’s analysis was also cited by The Week in its discussion of Russia’s attempts to promote disorder and further the Kremlin’s interest across Europe.

Read the full articles on The iPaper and The Week.