The image of a renovated fence posted on a local Facebook page has sparked controversy, with many questioning its authenticity.
The original post, which claimed to show the result of a community cleanup effort, was quickly debunked after observers pointed out several inconsistencies, including the addition of extra slats to the fence and the seemingly unchanged clouds in the background.
A member of the community group responsible for the post admitted that the image was AI-generated and was uploaded in error due to an administrative oversight.
The controversy comes at a time when the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, is facing scrutiny over his finances and potential parliamentary rules breaches.
Farage recently resigned as MP for Clacton-on-Sea to force a by-election, citing a desire to 'stick two fingers up to the entire establishment.' However, the move has been met with skepticism, with some accusing him of attempting to distract from questions surrounding his party's finances.
Reform UK has been accused of receiving undisclosed payments from an aristocrat who has served time in a US prison for wire fraud, and Farage is also under investigation for failing to properly declare a 'gift' of £5million from a crypto billionaire.
The by-election has been described as a 'desperate stunt' by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has refused to nominate a candidate for the contest.
However, a candidate has emerged in the form of Count Binface, a satirical figure who has announced his intention to take on Farage in the proposed by-election.
The outcome of the by-election is far from certain, and questions remain as to whether Farage can resign until the commissioner's investigation into his finances is complete.
