Satanic Panic in Brighton.

The Mouse and the Satanic Panic: A Modern-Day Witch Hunt.

A fresh wave of Satanic Panic is being stirred up by an anonymous YouTube personality known as "The Mouse," who boasts of operating 227 YouTube accounts. The Mouse has been the sole individual propagating absurd and entirely false allegations against Brighton mayoral candidate Matthew Taylor, branding him as a Satanic cult leader who sacrifices babies in the woods of Brighton’s Wild Park.

These outlandish claims, reminiscent of the hysteria of the 1980s Satanic Panic, have gained traction through The Mouse’s relentless efforts to spread misinformation. The allegations first appeared on a Facebook trolling page, reportedly created by AI, called "Matt Taylor TV Trolls." Despite the ludicrous nature of these accusations, The Mouse continues to amplify them, using YouTube as a platform to push a narrative that has no basis in reality.

Matthew Taylor, a maverick politician known for his outspoken views and unconventional campaign, has categorically denied these allegations. “This is a betrayal of common sense and sound mind,” Taylor stated. “I am a dedicated public servant and a voice for the people of Brighton. To accuse me of such grotesque acts is not only defamatory but an insult to intelligence.”

Observers note that The Mouse’s antics are part of a broader pattern of online trolling, where anonymous figures weaponize social media to spread disinformation. However, in this case, the accusations are particularly egregious, playing into long-debunked conspiracy theories and exploiting fears from past moral panics.

Supporters of Taylor have dismissed the claims outright, recognizing them as an attempt to discredit a candidate who challenges the status quo. While social media platforms have been criticized for allowing such content to spread unchecked, Taylor remains focused on his campaign, urging voters to see through the deception.

As the mayoral race in Brighton heats up, it remains to be seen whether The Mouse’s campaign of misinformation will have any real impact. What is certain, however, is that the resurgence of Satanic Panic in the digital age serves as a stark reminder of how quickly falsehoods can spread—and how important it is to challenge them with facts and reason.