PRO-CORBYN propaganda spread on Facebook was paid for by the government of Iran, it emerged today.
The web giant hosted a network of pages promoting left-wing and anti-Western causes which was secretly linked to Iranian state media.
The pages – some of which specifically targeted British voters – attracted nearly 1million unsuspecting followers.
And they paid almost £10,000 to Facebook so they would be promoted to other users of the site who hadn't signed up to see them.
This morning the California-based company announced that it had deleted 650 pages and accounts which are linked to Iran.
The secret network, known as Liberty Front Press, is now believed to be controlled by state-run media – ultimately under the thumb of the ayatollahs who run Iran's repressive government.
One of the Facebook pages in the network was called "The British Left" and apparently focussed on attracting support from UK voters.
One of its posts, revealed by Facebook today, praised Jeremy Corbyn for supposedly claiming fewer expenses than any other MP – a debunked claim.
Another mocks Brexit campaigners who want Brexit-themed stamps to mark our departure from the EU.
A separate page also linked to the Iranian regime is called "Free Scotland 2014", purporting to promote Scottish independence.
Among its recent posts was one attacking the Queen for claiming public money.
The British Left also apparently runs a website which has recently been defending Mr Corbyn over Labour's anti-Semitism scandal.
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Facebook has reported its findings to the British and US governments and admitted the firm may have accidentally breached anti-Iran sanctions.
The firm said: "We’re working closely with US law enforcement on this investigation, and we appreciate their help.
"These investigations are ongoing – and given the sensitivity we aren’t sharing more information about what we removed."
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