Barack Obama praises Manchester cotton workers as heroes of democracy in packed Co-op Live appearance

Barack Obama told tens of thousands of fans at Manchester's Co-op Live arena that cotton workers who boycotted slave-grown cotton during the American Civil War were an inspiration for modern times. The former US president, on his 'A Conversation With' UK tour, was interviewed by writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch and called misinformation on social media "one of the biggest dangers we are facing right now." Prime Minister Andy Burnham was also spotted at the event, with reports the pair met privately at the Stock Exchange Hotel beforehand.

Obama warned that online platforms had trapped users in "silos", prioritising ad revenue and engagement over accuracy.

"It turns out that a lot of what keeps you hooked is anger, resentment, fear, along with lust and cat videos," he told the crowd.

Obama also warned that AI was developing as quickly as, "if not faster than social media" — and said the world is "not prepared".