Did U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May remind parents in the U.K. that the state owns their children and that they were "getting a little too attached" to them? No, that's not true, she didn't remind them of that. The article that claimed she said that originated on a Christian themed satire website.
The fake quote appeared in an article published on April 24, 2018 titled "Prime Minister Issues Friendly Reminder To UK Parents That The State Owns Their Children" (archived here) which opened:
LONDON--Upon the news of a high court ordering life support removed from 2-year-old Alfie Evans, English Prime Minister Theresa May issued a brief, friendly reminder to citizens of the U.K. that the all-powerful state actually owns their children.
In a video circulated online, May informed parents who were "getting a little too attached" to their children that they need to keep in mind that the United Kingdom is the actual legal parent, and the kids are simply on loan to them until the State decides it's time for them to die.
Users on social media only saw this title, description and thumbnail might have mistaken it for a real news article:
Prime Minister Issues Friendly Reminder To UK Parents That The State Owns Their Children
LONDON--Upon the news of a high court ordering life support removed from 2-year-old Alfie Evans, English Prime Minister Theresa May issued a brief, friendly reminder to citizens of the U.K. that the all-powerful state actually owns their children. In a video circulated online, May informed parents who were "getting a little too attached" to their ...
The story was satirical in nature and was meant to offer commentary on the Alfie Evans case:
Alfie Evans case - Wikipedia
The Alfie Evans case is a case in 2018 involving Alfie Evans, an infant boy from Liverpool suffering from an undiagnosed neurodegenerative disorder. The case became controversial because the medical team and parents disagreed about treatment in the best interests of the child.
"The Babylon Bee" comes with following dislaimer on every page:
The Babylon Bee is Your Trusted Source For Christian News Satire.
Some of their greatest past hits include:
- Joel Osteen Sails Luxury Yacht Through Flooded Houston To Pass Out Copies Of 'Your Best Life Now'
- Steven Furtick Signs 6-Year, $110 Million Contract With Lakewood Church
- Another Actress Accuses Kirk Cameron Of Treating Her With Respect
- ISIS Lays Down Arms After Katy Perry's Impassioned Plea To 'Like, Just Co-Exist'
With a track record like that it is clear that you shouldn't take anything posted on the site seriously and you definitely shouldn't confuse it with real news.
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