A viral tweet has claimed that Royal Marines have forcibly removed medical equipment from Dundee to be used in England in the fight against Coronavirus.

The issue however is that the claim is not true.

Below is the tweet, let’s take a look at it.

Next, let’s take a look at the origin of the claim.

As you can see, no test kits were removed, nothing was “removed” at all. What actually happened is that Dundee University donated specialist equipment needed for testing at a national centre.

No Royal Marines were involved nor was anyone ordered to hand anything over. Dundee University sent the equipment voluntarily to aid a UK wide effort.

All of this happened a few weeks ago.

The ongoing pandemic is rife with misinformation being spread for a multitude of reasons. Please think critically about what you’re sharing as sharing this kind of thing is irresponsible, immoral and simply just dangerous.

For more on the sharing of misinformation relating to Coronavirus, see here.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago

Tragic that some are taking the opportunity to try and stir shit up. Maybe a coincidence but Dundee being a hotbed of independence is particularly cynical.

DaveyB
DaveyB
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Almost as bad as the ridiculous act of damaging and destroying 5G masts. Thinking that the mast cause corvid-19. It’s almost like some people want to believe there’s a conspiracy.

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

I hadn’t heard that one either, you have to hope for their sake that they’re just using any old excuse to behave like dicks rather than being that stupid. That level of stupid is frightening.

Mike
Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P
Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

It defies logic, I know us people (the public) can be batcrap crazy but this is ‘witchcraft’ logic. 4G, great stuff, 5G…. burn the heretics….

Lee1
Lee1
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Please remember that there are people that still believe in religion and others that genuinely think the earth is flat and that any evidence that shows it is not must be planted by the government…

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

The masts thing is absolutely lunatic !

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

Yes, especially as Covid is spreading in cities where 5G does not yet exist!

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago

I think you might be overthinking this mate. Logic seems to be out the window with this….

BigH1979
BigH1979
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Yes ridiculous….its quite clear than Covid 19 is being spread by aliens

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  BigH1979

Ssssh, our lizard overlords will be displeased if you let this out.

BigH1979
BigH1979
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Doesn’t matter Andy P, they have promised to make me Minister of Bogroll in their New World Order…..

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  BigH1979

The perfect position for when ‘shit gets real….’.

Rob Young
Rob Young
3 years ago

Cities? It’s spreading in countries where it doesn’t exist!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Rob Young

Yes! Ha fair comment Rob.

Dennis
Dennis
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

I’m sure that there is a huge amount of negative input from less than friendly countries….yes I’m looking east of Poland and beyond.
They will try to stir civil unrest etc.
Probably behind the attacks on phone masts too

Peter S
Peter S
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Tribal pish. you should be ashamed of yourself. Stirring shit up.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

i fell for the one about Santa clause dying ‘well he is old with underlying elf issues’

Bloke no longer down the pub
Bloke no longer down the pub
3 years ago

Perhaps the Royal Marines ought to visit mcswann and remove something of his.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
3 years ago

The guy that tweeted or posted this untruth is a moron and needs to go out back, take his bagpipes with him and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine, he might even blow some cool air over his minuscule brain to help clear his thoughts. His/ Her thoughts: “Must have independence, need independence, must have independence, need independence. How do I get independence? Oh I know I will tell a load of lies” You know what his hashtag means dont you? Pretty rude. Summary: I would say a classic staunch SNP supporter really. Idiot. People are dying in their… Read more »

ChariotRider
ChariotRider
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Actually, Mr Bell, Germany has been flying Italian and Spanish intensive care cases to German hospitals for treatement to take the pressure off over stretched Italian and French medics. So please check before you make false claims about the EU.

https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/28/military-flies-italian-french-patients-germany-treatment-12471328/

As for tweet – yeh kinda agree…

C.E.Teal
C.E.Teal
3 years ago
Reply to  ChariotRider

Six Italian patients on one flight and about twenty-nine in total, compared to the many thousands the Italians were/are treating. I think it’s more about Germany showboating to deflect the criticism and the story plays well with home media; as with the aid supplied to Italy by Russia and China – according to LaStampa 80% of the Russian shipment was useless and yet Russian state media have made much of it.

Dave
Dave
3 years ago
Reply to  ChariotRider

what have Germany’s actions got to do with the EU

Herodotus
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

“How do I get independence? Oh I know I will tell a load of lies”

Well Mr Bell, it worked for the Brexit Leave Campaign…did it not! 🙂

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

Certainly did !

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Ah, guy pushes his Indy agenda and he’s a baddy, you push your ‘better together’ agenda….. what does that make you. The guy is an arse and the vast majority of us wouldn’t have been remotely aware of this guff, its fair to say he’s hardly representative, even of those who do want independence.

You make it sound like Scotland should be grateful to the UK. News flash…. its still part of it although with the levels of condescension I can understand why some want to change that.

geoff
geoff
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Agree Andy. Social media has created the power for huge mischief to be spread from the fringes by individuals from across the spectrum. My mantra is -The Centre must hold.Tolerance of other peoples beliefs and reasoned debate along with the constant search for some kind of truth is the way. I can’t make that sound less preachy. The alternative is constant and escalating sniping that damages societies. It is sad to see this happening in many places and how much polarisation has resulted. The Black Saltire post is offensive but so are the constant niggles about how some parts of… Read more »

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  geoff

It doesn’t sound “preachy” Geoff, I know what you mean although I fear tolerance is generally the first casualty in political debate. Our ‘betters’ in Westminster (Holryood etc) kind of set the tone, Party A says ‘black’ so Party’s B/C and D have to default to ‘white’ and then rubbish Party A. The media play a part too, not just from a politics point of view, sometimes it seems to be a “look how clever I am” trying to enhance their own reputations. Of course politicians don’t help by being so evasive…. Sadly its become a massive industry where people… Read more »

geoff
geoff
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Thanks for the reply Andy. I have always thought that strict party groupings should be replaced by loose alliances whereby candidates campaign on issues rather than on any averaged party line and vote in Parliament on merits rather than being forced(in most cases) to vote as a monolith. Daniele will probably remind me that I have already posted this a few times(!) but my best pal at University in the 1960’s was a ScotNat. I tried to get him to see the error of his ways but alas, failed. It never interfered with our very close friendship.
Cheers from Durban

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  geoff

I like the idea of that Geoff but fear that its unworkable for a ‘whole career’. Why get into politics to achieve a single aim when you can get your nose in the trough for even longer, voted out, no worries, the ‘Party’ will find you a role doing something for a decent whack until the next bi-election. Just to make sure I’d better play the game and kiss the right arses…. I enjoy a good debate with people who have different views to myself, its good to see where they’re coming from and to have your views challenged. Saying… Read more »

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Nicola Surgeon should be expelling party members for spreading misinformation, I think so!

Calum Duncan
Calum Duncan
3 years ago
Reply to  Meirion X

What a bunch of Yoon balloons. Were 2 robot test kits ‘handed over’, under RN escort, by command from the PM, or not!? Typical mouthy, moronic Britnatsis.?

David
David
3 years ago

Just been reading through the twitter link. It’s always good to see the Scotts also have a braindead element within their ranks. God help them if there’s a virus which attacks the stupid.

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  David

Aye jings and crivvens mon, how wid we cope. You can take away our freedum but no oor Scotts porridge oats……

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

?

Rob
Rob
3 years ago

Jees, we really don’t need fake news panic mongers at times like these. Spreading false news should be severely punished as it is making a bad situation worse. I do hope the Police are taking the appropriate actions. Panic mongers, sensationalists, conspiracy theory advocates and defeatists should be locked up.

Herodotus
3 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Yes Rob, you will never find a conspiracy theory advocate on these pages will you? 🙂

Lee1
Lee1
3 years ago
Reply to  Rob

They are not panic mongers they are just the same fake news spreaders that have been in operation for the last few years. Some are from aggressive foreign governments trying to sow seeds of hate in order to fracture our society, others are nationalists trying to sow hate in order to drum up support to further their agenda and others are simply attention seekers trying to get on peoples nerves. No it is not helpful but it has never been helpful and yet many of these fake news stories have been promoted by those whose agenda they suit. It is… Read more »

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  Lee1

You need to be careful with that logic too Lee1 just because “we all agree on particular stories being universally bad” doesn’t make it the case, that’s facebook logic. Whisper it but a lot of the time, the general public are dicks and can whip them(our)selves into a circle jerk frenzy of righteousness. Best just to not read too much into stuff, I only find out about crap like this when its re-reported, maybe better to just ignore it.

Trevor
Trevor
3 years ago

“think critically”…
You won’t get that from the news.

dan
dan
3 years ago

More fake news. Carry on.

Edward Carson
Edward Carson
3 years ago

‘The Black Saltire’ – says it all really.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago

OT. Anyone else seen that Audacious has finally left Barrow?

The Artist Formerly known as Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly known as Los Pollos Chicken
3 years ago

Never underestimate the power of propaganda ….. Now I’ve prob been living in a cave lately but this 5G thing I must of missed it? Are people actually claiming that it spreads the virus ??? Or have I misinterpreted that ? I tell you what though the health concerns re. Frequency emitting devices is very real . I am issued with a digital airwave radio at my work and back in 2008 I took part in a still ongoing airwaves health study as to its effects on the body if any. I recently got another letter asking if I would… Read more »

Lee1
Lee1
3 years ago

You never underestimate the power of propaganda yet then go on to talk about propaganda…. 5G radio signals are high frequency. They have trouble penetrating anything at all! For instance they will not go through your walls like current wifi or tv signals. Numerous proper studies have found no problems with 5G signals or EMF radiation in general. One Level 2B carcinogen is Magnetic Fields (So planet earth…). The definition of a Level 2B carcinogen is “This category is used for agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient… Read more »

The Artist Formerly known as Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly known as Los Pollos Chicken
3 years ago
Reply to  Lee1

Lee my man I’m no expert on the science behind 5G all I was saying was I’ve read a bit about it but it’s difficult to gauge what is reality and what is fake that’s all. If you are better informed then I welcome any info although I’m slightly sceptical you seem to dismiss every negative concluding study out of hand as propaganda ? My point being the mere fact in the real world that my Gov employers allow a study into the long term health effects of those in my line of work using a personal issue airwaves radio… Read more »

Lee1
Lee1
3 years ago

“I tell you what though the health concerns re. Frequency emitting devices is very real .” No, they are not. There are many studies that have been carried out over the years and they have pretty much universally found no issues. The occasional ones that do are either too small to conclude anything or have serious flaws in their processes. Please remember that we live on a planet that has huge amounts of natural EMF radiation. It is not that difficult to determine what is fake and what is not. Just check the sources of the information and check the… Read more »

The Artist Formerly known as Los Pollos Chicken
The Artist Formerly known as Los Pollos Chicken
3 years ago
Reply to  Lee1

Well Lee I’m glad you have no problem determining what info is fake and what is real but me I keep an open mind maybe it’s just my line of work that makes me question things but usually 3 sides to every story yours , mine and the truth somewhere in the middle. The Airwave Health Monitoring Study was established to evaluate POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS associated with use of TETRA, a digital communication system used by police forces and other emergency services in Great Britain since 2001. The study has been broadened to investigate more generally the health of the… Read more »

Lee1
Lee1
3 years ago

No one should have much of a problem working out fake news from real news. The issue is that most people can’t be bothered so they simply believe whatever pops up on Facebook as long as it confirms their beliefs and claim fake news if it goes against their beliefs. The Airwave Health Monitoring Study is a study that was initially set up to assess the implications of health issues from long term exposure to the Tetra Radio System (effectively a 2g mobile system). It however is now far more than that and actually is assessing general health aspects of… Read more »

Peter Shaw
Peter Shaw
3 years ago

No one with half-a-brain-cell would believe that non-sense.

peter french
peter french
3 years ago

Another Canard from the anti English pro independence bunch who willingly spout fake news for their hapy to beleive fellow travellers,
Rhubarb

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
3 years ago

The intention is obvious. This disgusting muck – aren’t the Royal Marines Scottish also? – will be believed by some and so the result is achieved. A bare faced smear is around the world ‘before the truth ties its laces.’

Christopher Allen
Christopher Allen
3 years ago

Just another day in Anglophobic Scotland. Just read a tweet that had the nerve to say “bet this wasn’t in the treaty”, well I bet Scotland being allow to spend English Taxpayer’s money for centuries whilst spewing Anglophobic BS wasn’t in the Acts of Union either. Quite frankly, had enough of the double standards and delibrately false victim mentality coming from Nationalist Scots, wouldn’t have said this a decade ago, but the sooner they leave and shipbuilding returned to its rightful place at Portsmouth (where it was stopped to keep it going at the Clyde and to appease Scots), the… Read more »

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago

That’s a good old rant Christopher, hope you feel better for getting it off your chest. “Quite frankly” I’ve had enough of some of the absolute ‘gammon’ rants on here about the ‘sweaty socks’ based on articles rather than posts. You’ve maybe not noticed but there aren’t many Scottish posters on here who are actually advocating independence. Still, as long as you can get your rant on eh ? I’m sure you know but the Clyde did have a certain reputation for building ships and I’m sure you’d agree, spreading the wealth around the whole country isn’t a bad thing.… Read more »

Christopher Allen
Christopher Allen
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

My “gammon rant” is based on social media, Scottish media and real-life experiences of myself and English friends in Scotland, thank you. You are simply denying reality if you think Anglophobia hasn’t become more increasingly commonplace in Scotland. Yes, the Clyde has a reputation for shipbuilding, so does Portsmouth, nothing you said changes the fact that shipbuilding was sacrificed at least to avoid angering Scots before Indyref. As for spreading the wealth, even if taking North Sea oil revenues, there are only 2 regions in the UK who contribute more to the Treasury then their expenditure; Greater London and the… Read more »

Michael Robert Taylor
Michael Robert Taylor
3 years ago

At a time like this the morons with there own agenda soon turn up .

Calum Duncan
Calum Duncan
3 years ago

Hand over is not the same as donated! Methinks you protest too much. Go on just say it, BoJo sent armed navy to purloin equipment from a Scottish Uni for use in England. Go on. ??