Former British detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who has flown to Tenerife to help investigate the disappearance of Jay Slater, denounced the “fake content” being created and shared online.

He wrote on X: “So much fake content has been created in the Jay Slater case – mocked up chat, messages, pics. It’s a very different world we live in today with social media and online detectives.”

The expert went on to claim “vile threats and ransom demands” were issued, but they were “all checked out and have no credibility”.

He wrote: “Overwhelming response from people has been very positive people just wanting to help, even though most have no direct info, just what they have read, seen or think.

“Also a number of people making vile threats and ransom demands (all checked out and have no credibility).

“Being a family & friends at the centre of a massive story like this which has attracted worldwide media/public attention brings with it many more new challenges.”