Tech champion’s stalking ordeal laid bare on BBC Panorama
A BBC Panorama investigation airs tonight that will lay bare the extraordinary story of how Manchester tech champion Naomi Timperley was attacked online, the perpetrator pleaded guilty in court, and yet the social media companies still refused to take any of the messages down.
The investigation, led by Matt O’Donoghue and Darragh McIntyre, is now available on the BBC iPlayer, will report that social media consultant Samantha Wall targeted several business people and falsely accused them of crimes ranging from slashing her tyres to killing her cat.
Naomi Timperley of Tech North Advocates told TheBusinessDesk.com that her two and a half year ordeal of online harassment has had a devastating impact on her, but believes that social media companies – the abusive messages were posted on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook – could and should do more.
“As a victim of online abuse and stalking, I believe social media companies can implement several measures to better protect individuals like myself: enhance content moderation; strengthen reporting mechanisms; implement stricter account policies; provide educational resources; and collaborate with advocacy groups,” she said.
The perpetrator Samantha Wall pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and sending false messages at Manchester Magistrates’ Court last November, but last week at a hearing at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, a judge delayed sentencing for a second time, until May 2025.
Her legal team told the court a psychiatric report shows she has a chronic delusional mental health illness.
Her conviction was in relation to Naomi Timperley and motivational speaker Brad Burton, who were targeted with abusive messages over a four year period, but the programme to be broadcast tonight will also reveal other business people who were also targeted.
In December 2024, Naomi told TheBusinessDesk.com she welcomed a raft of new measures unveiled by the Home Office which will give victims of stalking and harassment more protection.
All of the victims complained to the social media companies about Wall’s posts, but they have not been taken down.
Brad Burton said: “LinkedIn need to do better. I was told from their legals ‘that no T&C’s had been broken’. Therefore they would take no action, but I should get in contact again should she gets convicted.
“LinkedIn, Meta and those users that supported and amplified her lies for popcorn, lols and likes, really do need to do and be better,” he said.
LinkedIn told the BBC it can’t comment on individual users, but it does not allow bullying or harassment and it will take action against anything that violates its policies. Incredibly, Instagram, Facebook and X did not respond to Panorama’s request for comment, but none of them have taken down the abusive messages, despite being told of her conviction months ago.
Naomi will be speaking about her ordeal at an event with TheBusinessDesk.com in June.
